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| Iraq |
| B-52s begin training runs over Gulf region |
| 2003-02-24 |
| US strategic bombers capable of launching cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs began practice runs over the Gulf region on Sunday, ramping up psychological pressure on the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein, the military announced. The first training flight of a B-52 and its crew took place over an unspecified area 'in the North Arabian Gulf region,' according to the US Central Command. Close enough for all the neighbors to see them on their radar screens and reflect on what happens when BUFFs come calling. 'The missions will be conducted on a recurring basis and are designed to maintain aircrew proficiency and familiarisation,' the command said in a statement. Lieutenant-Commander Stephen Franzoni, a spokesman for the command, declined to say if the bomber, often referred to as a 'flying fortress', had penetrated Iraqi airspace in the course of its mission. Uh, nobody has ever called a B-52 a "flying fortress". That title was retired when the last B-17 was. But he said none of the B-52s involved in the training were currently based in the United States. 'They are flying from the region,' he told AFP. Diego Garcia or Oman, most likely. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #10 Murat, I agree that a federated Iraq state is the best of a limited range of options.Giving every seperate group in the world with an autonomise state would result in world wide chaos. However while your waving those maps around lets see if you can find an independant Palistinian state.If I remember my history there never has been one(at least in the last 4,000 years) |
| Posted by: raptor 2003-02-25 08:38:01 |
| #9 But... But... You can't arc light a whole country! Or, can you? |
| Posted by: Chuck 2003-02-24 21:22:32 |
| #8 Let the thunder begin. |
| Posted by: Drew 2003-02-24 20:35:26 |
| #7 BUFF = Big Ugly Flyin' Fuckers |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-02-24 16:51:31 |
| #6 Say what you like about our newer weapons, but there's just something about a B-52 strike that really gets the point across. It conveys a certain seriousness of purpose. |
| Posted by: Matt 2003-02-24 16:49:35 |
| #5 Yes Dar, 52s are being used for tactical support. The new GPS guided bombs are so accurate you could shove them out of the back of a C-130 and still land them within feet of the target. |
| Posted by: Parabellum 2003-02-24 16:03:04 |
| #4 BUFFy the Taliban Slayer - LOL I would like to ask knowledgable readers if B-52s and other heavy ordnance is being used in direct tactical support and, if so, when we resumed doing so. IIRC, after the botched "Cobra" preliminary bombings in '44 that killed so many of our own troops--and a general--that heavy bombers were not to be used for tactical support. Have GPS and other, better navigational aids since WWII caused that to change? Or are we still using them strategically and when friendly troops are way, way out of the area? |
| Posted by: Dar Steckelberg 2003-02-24 15:17:37 |
| #3 After Afghanistan, it would seem appropriate to give the BUFF another nickname: BUFFy the Taliban Slayer |
| Posted by: Mike 2003-02-24 14:56:44 |
| #2 The BUFF's formal name is "Stratofortress." BUFF stands for Big Ugly Fat F***er." |
| Posted by: ereynol 2003-02-24 14:32:20 |
| #1 When you care enough to send the very best.... Who's that knocking at my door, who's that knocking at my door..... |
| Posted by: Hungry Valley 2003-02-24 19:36:34 |