Ground combat (military)
Ground combat , ground forces or ground troops are land-mobile units in the military that are used in ground battles. Ground combat refers to the type of combat. Ground forces refers to units or branches of the armed forces that are used in ground combat. Ground troops are land mobile units in the military that are used in ground battles.
The majority of the ground forces in the armed forces of a country are the soldiers of the army . But other branches of the armed forces such as the navy or the air force (in Germany and Switzerland the air force ) can have ground troops that are specially trained and equipped for the requirements of the relevant branch of the armed forces.
A prominent example of an armed force that has to a large extent on ground troops, but not the army that is heard Marine Corps of the US armed forces .
In modern combat, the mobility of the ground troops in the air is an important factor in the event of changes in position, so that the relocation (e.g. by air landing ) can take place promptly. The mobility of the ground forces is therefore an important factor in warfare . Therefore, ground troops are mostly relocated by vehicles. Ground forces can have their own fleet of vehicles. Armored vehicles and battle tanks are also part of the equipment of ground troops.
Ground troops can be relocated in various ways and can also use other branches of the armed forces. The march is typical for overland laying . On a large scale and over great distances, the laying takes place via troop transporters (motor vehicles), transport aircraft , transport helicopters and / or watercraft.
Paratroopers are also part of the ground forces, but are only transported by aircraft to the relevant operational region and can be dropped off over inaccessible terrain.
The close air support (CAS) or air support is provided by combat aircraft.
See also: tactics (military)