| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq |
| U.S. Prepares 'Super Base' in Iraq |
| 2006-04-24 |
| Posted by:BrerRabbit |
| #15 Thanks, Parabellum for the pic link. Runway 14-32 is a big assed runway, all right. Hell I could take off from there fully loaded on a hot day. Also some interesting planes around the hanger areas. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2006-04-24 22:20 |
| #14 Chuck - the C-5 Galaxy military cargo plane. Wingspan of about 220 feet, 4 engines. If need be, it can transport a couple tanks. The M-1s weigh 60-69 tons (120,000 - 138,000 lbs) each. The C-5 can lift 270,000 lbs max cargo. So depending on the model it can lift one or two M-1s ... not the ideal way to ship a tank, but it can do it. |
| Posted by: lotp 2006-04-24 21:22 |
| #13 Post-Saigon unfied Vietnam said it best - the D*** Soviets are just "Americans without money", whilst the Chicoms were penniless Vietnamese with no pennies or less-than-a-penny. Once western democratic governments with local characteristics is securely installed, more often than not the new local Govts. ask Americans to stay to boost the economy. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2006-04-24 21:20 |
| #12 I would point out that the amount of information coming from those three airfields is zero. Take a look through goole and you'll see that they appear quite well equipped. That's a very interesting pic of stuff, too. BTW. what has four engines and a wing span of over 200 ft.? It's parked on a taxi way north of your "stuff". |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2006-04-24 20:53 |
| #11 Damn that is one hugh ass base. |
| Posted by: djohn66 2006-04-24 19:12 |
| #10 Sat Photo of Balad. Fairly high res. Zoom in and take a look around. You might find some interesting stuff... On a related note, we also have three big airbases in Iraq's western desert. |
| Posted by: Parabellum 2006-04-24 18:39 |
| #9 SandCOM ROFL! |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2006-04-24 18:07 |
| #8 "What I don't get is why didn't they build it out in the country side, in an open area safe from mortar attacks." 43 miles north of Baghdad places it on the Tigris River roughly halfway between Al Khalis and Balad. To me it looks enough like "countryside" to do the job... |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2006-04-24 18:06 |
| #7 That is why we set up the Middle East Command (as of yet unnamed) SandCOM |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2006-04-24 17:54 |
| #6 We have had this planned for two years now. That is why we set up the Middle East Command (as of yet unnamed), which will be distinct from the Iraq Command, headed by a 3-star. I expect its area of interest to include the entire ME, central Asia, eastern and northeastern Africa. This is a strategic re-org and goes far beyond Iraq. Ironically, while it is used as the C&C for the region, I expect its civilian-political twin will be the mengasso US embassy in Baghdad. It will definitely be to our advantage to try and stimulate the ME to become like the European Common Market, giving economic stability to go along with military and political stability. Give or take Iran, this could take another 50 years. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-04-24 17:15 |
| #5 What I don't get is why didn't they build it out in the country side, in an open area safe from mortar attacks. This one doesn't make sense to me. |
| Posted by: Greaque Glagum3242 2006-04-24 17:12 |
| #4 There were lots of old Russian aircraft in various stages of decay still lying about a few years back as I recall. An interesting place for aviation enthusiasts. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2006-04-24 17:01 |
| #3 A very well placed super base. Convenient for air travel to such destinations as Syria and Iran. No cheap seats. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2006-04-24 16:21 |
| #2 Ok, I'll say it... All your base are belong to us!! I feel better. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2006-04-24 16:11 |
| #1 Man......now Osamma knows |
| Posted by: kelly 2006-04-24 15:57 |