52,
I have to agree - Regaining the initiative gets harder as the clock ticks.
The Russians found this out the hard way in Beslan 2004. The school was taken by 31 terrorists and as the days dragged on they had time to mine the buildings and consolidate their position. Multiple authorities were on site; Spetznaz (Alpha and V), FSB (Omon) and the local militia. There was confusion and lack of coordination. There are reports the local militia pre-empted the assault by going in, tired of waiting. 300 hostages died on the third day including 180 kids.
In 2017 Australia MH128 was hijacked mid-air and returned to Melbourne. The lone hijacker was tackled by the passengers and cable-tied. On landing, the Police tactical responders (SOG) took two hours to decide to enter the aircraft while passengers were forced to sit in their seats with a subdued hijacker who had two taped devices with blinking lights he claimed were bombs. The police wanted to know more information and be in full control before entering the aircraft. The judge investigating later said he could not understand why they did not immediately get on that plane to empty it. He said the passengers are not 'props'. Very embarrassing and frankly incompetent - no predatory mindset.
There's a time and place to wait it out while planning a deliberate assault, like Neptune Spear (SEALs), Nimrod (SAS) and Thunderbolt (Israelis). But when it goes pear shaped from the start that's what emergency actions are for.
I have to agree - Regaining the initiative gets harder as the clock ticks.
The Russians found this out the hard way in Beslan 2004. The school was taken by 31 terrorists and as the days dragged on they had time to mine the buildings and consolidate their position. Multiple authorities were on site; Spetznaz (Alpha and V), FSB (Omon) and the local militia. There was confusion and lack of coordination. There are reports the local militia pre-empted the assault by going in, tired of waiting. 300 hostages died on the third day including 180 kids.
In 2017 Australia MH128 was hijacked mid-air and returned to Melbourne. The lone hijacker was tackled by the passengers and cable-tied. On landing, the Police tactical responders (SOG) took two hours to decide to enter the aircraft while passengers were forced to sit in their seats with a subdued hijacker who had two taped devices with blinking lights he claimed were bombs. The police wanted to know more information and be in full control before entering the aircraft. The judge investigating later said he could not understand why they did not immediately get on that plane to empty it. He said the passengers are not 'props'. Very embarrassing and frankly incompetent - no predatory mindset.
There's a time and place to wait it out while planning a deliberate assault, like Neptune Spear (SEALs), Nimrod (SAS) and Thunderbolt (Israelis). But when it goes pear shaped from the start that's what emergency actions are for.