Reservists Called Up In Build-Up For Iraq

The Ministry of Defence is planning a mass mobilisation of key reservists beginning in September, heightening expectation that the United States and Britain are stepping up preparations for an attack on Iraq.

British troops have also been pulled out of Nato's ACE Mobile Force rapid reaction corps and British involvement in a large number of exercises has been cancelled or scaled down to leave troops ready for the attack on Iraq.

The Prime Minister has strongly backed the idea of a pre-emptive strike on Iraq and refused to commit the Government to a vote in the House of Commons on the deployment of British forces.

British military planners are working on the basis that Britain will provide a very large force, including an armoured division, a naval task force and substantial numbers of combat aircraft.

The decision to pull out of the Nato rapid reaction force was taken at the same time as it was announced that the bulk of British forces were being withdrawn from Afghanistan and Bosnia.

It means that the 1,500 British troops previously earmarked for the force will not now be taking part in two major exercises this autumn, in Germany and Ukraine.

In another move to free forces for an attack on Iraq, 3,000 members of Britain's main fighting force, 1 (UK) Armoured Division, have been withdrawn from a tank exercise in Poland. The MoD insisted that no decision had been made on Iraq but did not deny that planning was under way. "Any government department has contingency plans," a spokesman said.

Defence sources said the reservists who would be called up would cover key shortages such as pilots, medical staff, special forces, intelligence and signals.

My husband's a Marine reservist, so I'm interested in this news, to say the least. Thanks for posting it.

But can I just add something to this line of thinking?

I've had the chance to experience the military lifestyle when my husband was on active duty, and for several years now, in the reserves.

Many of the reasons we had in deciding to leave active duty, all lead back to Bill Clinton, and the political correctness movement. My husband loved flying military jets. He was (and is) proud to defend the security of this nation.

But when Bill Clinton took the reins, he destroyed our military. During Clinton's two terms, he underfunded defense spending, downsized personnel by about a half million, and increased "boy scout" patrolling around the world. The Navy has about 70 or so less ships to sail. The Army is short 4 active, and 2 reserve DIVISIONS.

Thank God for Bush, and his focus on our armed forces. Back in the early 90s, everything in the military was growing more spent each day. Deployment turn around times grew shorter. Morale was lower, and people were simply tired and frustrated. I can't tell you how many times sorties were cancelled due to jets being down for maintenance. And worst of all, and my huge motivator to get out, were all the stories our friends had with jet parts just falling off in while in flight due to lack of spare parts, etc. Funny now, but one guy came back in once, because a huge chunk of his wing fell off somewhere over the desert. Not so funny, is the list of our friends who were killed while serving this country.

I guess where all this is coming from, is, here we go again. And this time, on the reserve side, when all of these folks get activated in the months ahead, my hope is that everyone who's American realize the hardships these soldiers, pilots, etc., and their families will face.

Being in the civilian world, when reservists are called up and gone, there are generally no bases nearby, support systems, other families to help out. There's also the little known fact (unless you are smart like the Freepers), that most employers, and certainly our gov't, will not compensate for the loss of wages, even though the bills are the same.

I'm sure this sounds jumbled, and for this I apologize. I'm tired (husband is currently doing his two weeks of active duty), I'm frustrated, and I'm very proud of my husband, and all the others like him. I simply want the nation to be, too. Many people, in my opinion, just don't realize...

I'm sure this sounds jumbled, and for this I apologize. I'm tired (husband is currently doing his two weeks of active duty), I'm frustrated, and I'm very proud of my husband, and all the others like him. I simply want the nation to be, too. Many people, in my opinion, just don't realize...

It doesn't sound jumbled...and many do realize what sacrifices you make, and more are coming around every day. My thanks to you and your husband for your service to our country!

Bill Clinton is a traitor. I certainly understand why your husband would want to go to the reserves. Speaking just about the Navy, many of the ships out there are now doing double deployments. There's nothing like being out to sea for 1/2-3/4 of a year to really degrade morale. Add to that the extra BS from the new Politically Correct (and, as you put it, "boy scout patrolling") armed forces, plus the equipment failure from the large budget cuts - it's not fun.
Other sailors told me "it never was like this" or "it's not like the good ol days". I'm sure they are correct.
You have plenty of reasons to be proud of your husband. Just the fact that he can still stomach the reserves is plenty to be proud of! :) I'm sure he must be very proud of you too. Thank you both and keep smiling - he'll be home soon.

What few old-timer friends I have left in the Navy tell me that maintenance, repair and ordanance budgets are "unlimited" for AT LEAST the last 6 months.

Ships kept afloat by the coffe grounds uner the pier are fully combat ready, or soon will be.

Many maintenance and repair actions normally done in the shipyards are being done pierside due to shortage of facilities. The contractors are wallerin' in money as the activities are 7 x 24.

What few old-timer friends I have left in the Navy tell me that maintenance, repair and ordanance budgets are "unlimited" for AT LEAST the last 6 months.

Looks like everything's being "gunned up" for the Big Show.

I was waiting for this. This newspaper report out of Britain aligns nicely with the reserve call-ups that are just starting to occur.

Ships kept afloat by the coffe grounds uner the pier are fully combat ready, or soon will be.

The all-important aviation wings are getting reloaded, I suspect. However, just as important will be support and transport vessels.

Many maintenance and repair actions normally done in the shipyards are being done pierside due to shortage of facilities. The contractors are wallerin' in money as the activities are 7 x 24.

Jesus Christmas!

This tells me that Bush the Younger is leaving nothing to chance. My firm hope is, however, that the infantry units are being trained until they drop. Hard training makes for longer living. No body ever got comfortable in a bodybag.

Anyone out there with any tidbits about Army training intensity? This is important to know, because Hack published a scathing article last year about clown-car basic at Fort Jackson.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

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