U.S. forces attack Baghdad airport

MSNBC ^ | 4 April, 2003

[Happy2BMe]

INDEPENDENT DETAILS of the assault on the airport remained sketchy, but witnesses reported about 20 thundering explosions from its direction.

The U.S. military’s battle damage assessment report said 320 Iraqi troops had been killed in the battle for the airport. A CBS reporter with the 3rd Army Infantry Division said that by dawn, tank companies had rolled in and soldiers were clearing the area building by building.

“It’s going to take some time to secure the airport, although we haven’t encountered much opposition yet,” Lt. Col. Vincent Quarles of the Engineer Brigade, 3rd Army Infantry Division, told a Reuters correspondent traveling with the unit.

Tracer rounds, anti-aircraft fire and artillery could be seen lighting the night sky southwest of the city center, and officers of the 3rd Infantry told reporters that the Iraqi forces were deeply “dug in.”

A Reuters reporter said a fierce bombardment of the nearby village of Furat, which lies between the airport and the capital, had killed dozens of Iraqis, including some civilians. Iraqi officials put the death toll in and around the village at 83, but the figure could not be independently confirmed.

U.S. military analysts told MSNBC.com on Thursday that the airport appeared to be defended by four regular army units and Special Republican Guard troops. The headquarters of the Special Republican Guard’s First Brigade is nearby, but airstrikes on the compound are thought to have inflicted significant damage on that unit.

[Happy2BMe]

Baghdad may be a hard nut to crack.

[Happy2BMe]

God, please have favor and mercy on our dear troops.

Thu Apr 3,10:50 PM ET

In this image made from video, a convoy of U.S. military vehicles arrives at Saddam International Airport, Friday, April 4, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq

Thu Apr 3,10:57 PM ET

In this image made from video, U.S. soldiers search a man at the entrance of Saddam International Airport, Friday, April 4, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq

[Happy2BMe]

In this image made from video, a U.S. soldier, left, searches a man near the entrance of the Saddam International Airport, Friday, April 4, 2003, in Baghdad, Iraq

[lafroste]

320 Iraqi troops had been killed in the battle for the airport.

".... we haven't encountered much opposition yet,"

You just gotta love these guys!

[Happy2BMe]

"You just gotta love these guys!"

Ollie North says they are "The Best Yet!"

[sonofatpatcher2]

"And here we have Special Forces moving toward the Baghdad Airport."

[Happy2BMe]

In this image made from video, the exterior of Saddam International Airport is seen, Thursday, April 3, 2003, near Baghdad, Iraq

[Robert Lomax]

I hope I wake up tomorrow morning and hear Steve, E.D., and Brian calling it Baghdad International Airport.

[Happy2BMe]

An Iraqi soldier carries an AK-47 rifle as he patrols Saddam International Airport in Baghdad, April 3, 2003. U.S. forces launched an assault on the airport on Thursday after armored units thrust almost unopposed to within six miles of the edge of the Iraqi capital, military sources said.

[TheLion]

Saddam's regime will fall faster since those under him, except for a few, don't have a clue, as to what is transpiring. The RG were getting clobbered and didn't have a clue. Since no one knows much, it makes the whole thing crumble pretty quick.

Ironic that Saddam's regime is dying because of the way they lived.

[Happy2BMe]

Yes - and the sooner the better. We gotta take care of biz before the temps exceed 100F - chem gear concerns.

An Iraqi soldier carries an AK-47 assault rifle as he patrols Saddam International Airport on the southwest outskirts of Baghdad April 3, 2003. The power went off in most of Baghdad on Thursday for the first time since the U.S.-led war to overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein started two weeks ago as artillery fire was heard in the outskirts of the city. The airport is regarded as a probable early target in the U.S. assault on Iraq

[Happy2BMe]

This image, taken by Space Imaging's IKONOS satellite Tuesday, April 1, 2003, shows Saddam International Airport in Iraq. Hoping to counter initial reports that allied forces had taken Saddam International Airport, U.S. Central Command said its units were 'in the vicinity' of the airport. Iraqi officials took reporters to the facility Thursday afternoon, claiming the government of Iraq is still in control of Saddam International Airport.

[laz17]

Looks a lot like Hitler giving the Nazi salute, doesn't it? "Zieg heil!"

[Happy2BMe]

"Looks a lot like Hitler giving the Nazi salute, doesn't it? "Zieg heil!"

[2Jedismom]

I wonder if you can call that airport? Wouldn't that be a hoot!!! Call and get some Coalition soldier on the line?

"Oh, Hi!! This is 2Jedismom in Tulsa...just want to say I'm thinking about you!"

Ha!

[Happy2BMe]

"I wonder if you can call that airport? Wouldn't that be a hoot!!! Call and get some Coalition soldier on the line?"

Hehe ... stranger things have happened.

Recall the phone calls made by our troops to home from captured enemy locations when we rescued those college students back in the 80's. Some guys were even getting through to home on their cell phones.

What the heck was the name of that place?

[2Jedismom]

I bet it would cost a fortune, but it might be fun...if I could find the number...

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Granada.