Posted on 02/09/2004 12:52:32 PM PST by mylife
ASDF flights into Baghdad put on hold The Asahi Shimbun --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Air Self-Defense Force will bypass Baghdad International Airport and land C-130 transport planes at other airfields in Iraq because of mounting security concerns, sources said Friday.
In the latest incident Thursday, a mortar shell was lobbed at a checkpoint near Baghdad International Airport, killing a U.S. soldier and wounding another.
For the time being, the ASDF will airlift relief supplies from Kuwait to other airports in Iraq considered safer than Baghdad.
The basic dispatch plan agreed to in December listed Baghdad, Balad, Basra and Mosul among locations for the ASDF to use.
The military airport near Nasiriya is also being considered because its proximity to Samawah makes it ideal for transporting supplies to be used by the Ground SDF that will set up base camp in Samawah.
In addition to airlifting relief supplies, the ASDF will transport items for American and British troops in Iraq. While Baghdad would be a logical choice for such tasks, the recent spate of attacks on coalition aircraft near Baghdad International Airport has dampened enthusiasm for the task.
A high-ranking agency official said, ``The number of attacks at Baghdad are of a scale beyond comparison with the airports that are possible sites for ASDF dispatch.''
Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba on Friday called the attack on American troops near Baghdad International Airport a major concern.
There was no indication when flights to Baghdad will start.
``It will depend on when attacks by anti-American elements are under control,'' said a Defense Agency source. ``It could be in a month, or it may not be possible even after three years.''
Three C-130 transport planes arrived in Kuwait on Jan. 31. ASDF members have been making practice runs and will begin training for evasive action during take-off and landing to avoid surface-to-air missiles. (02/07)
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Mine the airport perimiter as far as the eye can see and then some.
Those that don't like it Can lump it.
Wake up! The PC war is over with these killers
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