What is the primary concern when operating 'Danger Close'?

The primary concern when operating in a 'Danger Close' scenario is minimizing collateral damage. This term refers to situations where military forces are engaged in combat operations that place friendly forces or civilians at risk due to the proximity of friendly troops to enemy positions.

In these high-stakes situations, the potential for unintended harm to non-combatants and damage to civilian infrastructure becomes significantly heightened when air support or heavy firepower is requested. Therefore, commanders must ensure that all measures are taken to avoid causing unnecessary harm to those who are not involved in the conflict. This involves careful planning, precise coordination of fires, and often stricter constraints on the types and amounts of munitions used.

While maintaining fire altitude, maximizing combat efficiency, and ensuring equipment functionality are all important factors in military operations, they take a back seat to the urgency of protecting civilians and avoiding collateral damage in 'Danger Close' scenarios. The priority placed on minimizing collateral damage reflects a commitment to the principles of proportionality and discrimination in armed conflict, key elements of military ethics and international humanitarian law.