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| Iraq | |||
| Franks shifts missile vessels to war positions in Red Sea | |||
| 2003-03-14 | |||
The U.S. military is moving a dozen or more missile-firing ships from the Mediterranean into the Red Sea, bordering Saudi Arabia, as Gen. Tommy Franks puts the final pieces in place for a war with Iraq. As the ships were preparing to move as early as last night, the Air Force announced it had deployed an unspecified number of B-2 stealth bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., to bases closer to Iraq. The bat-wing bombers, making their first deployment outside the United States, would play a key role in the opening hours of war by knocking out important military targets in Baghdad. The Air Force has established special shelters for the B-2s on the island of Diego Garcia and in Fairfield, England. The White House has set Monday as a deadline for Iraq to begin disarming. If it does not, a U.S.-led attack could come any day afterward.
Had not thought of that. Sammy has a lot of spies in Jordan, bet they are watching the sky and the troops based there. "Shooting over Israel and Jordan politically may not be viable," the official said. The two carriers' strike aircraft are able to fly high, 30,000 feet or more, before descending over Iraq toward the target. Turkey has not yet granted overflight rights. But Pentagon officials said they believe Israel and Jordan, which is allowing American special operations troops on its soil, will allow flights over their airspace to Iraq. We heard that Jordan agreed, Israel is no problem. Three battle groups are in the Persian Gulf, spearheaded by the carriers USS Constellation, USS Kitty Hawk and USS Abraham Lincoln. The USS Nimitz battle group has left Pearl Harbor and is three to four weeks away from arriving in the Gulf. It is scheduled to relieve the Lincoln, which had completed its six-month deployment and was heading home when the Pentagon told it to reverse course and prepare for war.
The final piece may be the Army 101st Airborne Division, a helicopter assault force of 20,000 soldiers. The last of the 101st's helicopters are scheduled to arrive in Kuwait this week by sea. The division is expected to carry out several missions, including opening a northern front and patrolling western Iraq for Scud missiles and launchers. The 101st is all we are waiting for now. Tick.. tick..
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| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 RW---I have seen here or somewhere that Blixie's inspectors are ready to go in 3 hr. The problem is that Sammy just may want to jaw with them come departure time and they may not be able to make the plane. In which case we should put that one on Blixie' head. I do not think that Bush will let Sammy hold up the show with a hostage taking program. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-03-14 19:31:08 |
| #2 Don't they have to give the inspectors time to get out? How long is flight from Baghdad to Kuwait City... 45 minutes?? Yep, Tuesday. |
| Posted by: RW 2003-03-14 16:39:07 |
| #1 Purim Tuesday, March 18, 2003 The holiday of Purim, involves a plot by wicked Haman against the Jews and his eventual defeat and demise through the efforts of Mordechai and Queen Esther. A minor holiday, Purim is historic in origin. It is celebrated with much joy and revelry. Traditionally, children and adults dress in costume and a carnival atmosphere prevails with parades and festivities. The Book of Esther is read and children twirl noise makers known as groggers to "blot out" Haman's name whenever it is read. |
| Posted by: Who are you kidding? 2003-03-14 15:16:00 |