[ExSoldier]

You are thinking this may be an opening gambit against Iran? An op like that is going to require boots on the ground. That means almost certainly a large airborne mass tactical drop. What's the 82nd doing? That's the only group capable of going full on from above. Not the Marines, and not SpecOps as a main force attack. Not even the entire Ranger Regiment (although all will have some role) can do this. Unless, it's going to be a joint affair between us and Israel with us providing air support and resupply. Although I don't want to think of the horrific backlash from both the Arab world and the liberals stateside in such an event.

[judicial meanz]

You are definitely right about that.

There would also have to be large troop movements from the USA to Iraq in order to form the mechanized component that would follow up the airborne assault and link up with them.

So far I dont see it.

[Godzilla]

You are thinking this may be an opening gambit against Iran? An op like that is going to require boots on the ground.

No, I think WND is echoing some bogus speculation at this time. But lets speculate IF a 3rd carrier task force is being positioned. It would tend to ratchet up the stick in contrast to any carrots being offered. AFA an air campaign, a shock and awe campaign against fixed targets would definitely take them out of the picture for a period, even if they are deeply buried - kinda hard to get to if the enterances are totalled and you have to excavate and shore up the tunnels just to get in to them again. These targets are mostly away from populated areas (unlike saddam), and strikes there would minimize collateral damage. Third, unless the Ailotaloahs (sp) are really feeling froggy, I think that they would be unlikely to try to counter attack on the ground, our air would eat them alive. With that said, I would be looking at a lot more tac air deploying to the gulf to handle any Iranian ground effort. I would also look for a 4th carrier group. If we do the strike, I'd expect every heavy bomber in the AF to go - mega shock and awe, after the sites. Key principle of war, massing of fire power while maintaining a reserve to handle contingencies. The bombers stationed out of deago garcia could handle site mop-up. I don't see the key pieces in movement - yet. But I also don't think the President will wait for a mushroom cloud over Tel Aviv either.