I have to agree that there is way too little footage shown to conclude anything from this video. Too many unknowns, just a glimpse from one small part of the operation. We don’t know overall mission objectives, tasks to sub-units, the overall situation on the ground etc.
And to claim that their actions were poor, there was a lack of leadership, coordinated efforts etc because they took casualties? Really? Some of the incoming fire was pretty darn effective. Maybe the FARC actually achieved suppression on the unit being filmed?
Sometimes you can do everything “right”, and still take casualties.
I also find it strange that squads would be in charge of directing CAS. Not too familiar with US procedures, but for us JTACs are the only ones qualified to direct fire from fixed wing or rotary wing assets. Others can do it, but only in-extremis.
I was just about to post that link. More info, more background. Also, some shots of some relatively uncommon weapons (by both the FARC and the Columbian Counter-Narcos (anyone else get a view of the .308 Galil?))
Anywho, one get’s a good look at loadouts and previous fights prior to the 8 minute one shown in the first clip (anyone else notice a strange gringo in the first bunch of the second clip?).
My conclusions are the same. Even without knowing their full METTT-C (though some is shown, especially in the full 49 min video).