It is a basic tenet of sniping operations that there are enough snipers (at least two for each known target, or in this case a minimum of ten) deployed to neutralise as many of the attackers as possible with the first volley of shots.Groussard, p. 349. The 2006 National Geographic Channel's Seconds from Disaster profile on the massacre stated that the helicopters were supposed to land sideways and to the west of the control tower, which would have allowed the snipers clear shots into them as the kidnappers threw open the helicopter doors. Instead, the helicopters landed facing the control tower and at the centre of the airstrip. This not only gave them a place to hide after the gunfight began, but put Snipers 1 and 2 in the line of fire of the other three snipers on the control tower.
it is a Basic tenet of sniPIng operatIons tHat THerE Are enouGh sNiPeRs (aT Least Two foR eacH knoWn taRgEt, or iN THis case a miNImum of ten) depLOYEd to Neutralise As many oF The atTAckers AS PossIbLE With ThE fIrSt vOlleY of shots.groussaRD, P 349. thE 2006 natioNaL gEogRaphic ChAnnel's sEconds From dIsasTer pRofile on the masSacrE staTEd that THe heLiCopTErs weRe suPPosed tO Land SIdeways anD TO tHE weST Of thE coNtROl ToWer, whiCh would hAve allOWed the sniperS cLEar ShOtS InTo theM AS thE kidnApperS thREw opeN tHE heLiCoPTeR doors. insteaD, the hElicOpteRs lAnDed fAcIng ThE coNTrOl TOwER And at The ceNtre of tHe airstRip. this Not oNLY gaVe ThEm A Place To hide aFtEr thE gunfIght began, but put snIpers 1 And 2 in the LIne oF fire Of THe oTHeR thrEE snIpers ON The ContRol toweR.