U.S. Is Carrying Out Vast Majority of Strikes on ISIS, Military Officials Say

New York Times ^ | Sept 23, 2014 | HELENE COOPER and MICHAEL R. GORDON

[BulletBobCo]

WASHINGTON — The vast majority of airstrikes launched against Sunni militant targets in Syria have been carried out by American war planes and ship-based Tomahawk cruise missiles, military officials said Tuesday, in what they described as the successful beginning of a long campaign to degrade and destroy the Islamic State.

In disclosing the identities of the five Sunni Arab nations that joined or supported the attacks in Syria — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan and Qatar — the Obama administration sought to paint a picture of an international coalition resolute in its determination to take on the Sunni militant group.

Jordan said that “a number of Royal Jordanian Air Force fighters destroyed” several targets but did not specify where; the Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the air force “launched its first strikes against ISIL targets” on Monday evening, using another acronym for the Islamic State. American officials said that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain also took active part in the strikes, and that Qatar played a “supporting” role.

But Lt. Gen. William C. Mayville Jr., the director of operations with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the majority of strikes were carried out by American warplanes and cruise missiles, with the aim of hindering the ability of the Islamic State to cross the border into Iraq and attack Iraqi forces.

[MHGinTN]

The ciC is actually a half-black puppet of the oligarchs. But he’s so much a drug-addled sexual degenerate he is probably now believing he rules without masters. That will be his undoing, for the oligarchs do not allow their puppets to get too far afield.

[Mike Darancette]

All of the cruise missiles were ours.

I would ask the Pentagon whether Syrian radars were turned off while coalition aircraft were in Syrian air space.

[MacNaughton]

12 It is for show, no doubt. How many squadrons of bombers and fighters do you think our four “Middle Eastern Allies” have? Doubt their combined strength would equal one fully equipped and manned American fighter/bomber wing.

Planes and munitions we sold 'em (at least that keeps our defense industry employed) and trained their command pilots over here.

[cherokee1]

Well, sure, the ‘Rabs are a lot of help. But I was a little disappointed that not one Arab aircraft carrier showed up. They must have all had previous commitments? And I still think it’s neat that the arabs are shooting up at least some of the weapons that they probably bought to shoot at Israel. Muzzie-on-Mooslim violence is fine with me. At least they’re occupied stepping in their own shiite. At a minimum they’re/we’re setting Syria back a half century so next time they rebuild maybe they’ll learn how to use flush terlets. All those weapons we’re dropping will at least be creating pre-fab slit trenches-—should help keep the flies down?

[X Fretensis]

For the most part. The majority of fighters are F-16s. The UAE, Jordan, and Qatar also have some Eurofighters and Mirages in their inventories.

[Norm Lenhart]

I never new “all” could be defined as ‘vast majority’.

I miss the old days. Words meant things...or did I miss some sudden assault today bu another country?

[RipSawyer]

I am trying very hard to find an error in your evauation. If I succeed you will hear from me but don’t hold your breath. I probably won’t live more than another twenty years or so.

[RipSawyer]

"I miss the old days. Words meant things..." //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Ah, yes, in the old days words had actual meanings but now people act like Humpty Dumpty in Through The Looking Glass. "I don't know what you mean by 'glory,' " Alice said. Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. "Of course you don't—till I tell you. I meant 'there's a nice knock-down argument for you!' " "But 'glory' doesn't mean 'a nice knock-down argument'," Alice objected. "When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less." "The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things." "The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master—that's all." Alice was too much puzzled to say anything, so after a minute Humpty Dumpty began again. "They've a temper, some of them—particularly verbs, they're the proudest—adjectives you can do anything with, but not verbs—however, I can manage the whole lot! Impenetrability! That's what I say!"[21]

[slapshot]

My source in Bahrain states B-1s have joined the party and were active the past few nights. It is a start A-10s en route

[X Fretensis]

B-1s made strikes since the first day. A warthog squadron was ordered to deploy earlier this week. If they haven’t already, suspect Buffs will be included at some point.