SAS geared up for attack on bin Laden

the times ^ | 9/16 | MICHAEL EVANS

[FReethesheeples]

The SAS are MEAN mothers!

They are competent beyond belief.

[Illbay]

SAS = "Special Air Services". I think they are analogous to the U.S. "Green Berets".

This might be a great time for Britain to "get their own back" after the humiliation at the Khyber Pass over a century ago.

[Illbay]

Is anyone else's stomach churning at the sight of the words "Tomahawk cruise missiles"?

Haven't we learned enough about the pseudo-value of spectacular fireworks vs. actually destroying the enemy?

[Eagle Eye]

I think they are analogous to the U.S. "Green Berets".

Not quite. Delta was originally modelled on the SAS and trained by some of them.
But there are no peers for the SAS.

[patriciaruth]

But there are no peers for the SAS

Except, perhaps, the Second Amendment Sisters....

[Sigarmed]

In 1977 Colonel Charlie Beckworth was given the green light to form "Delta" as we call it. Being that this man had service experience with the British SAS. In written literature regarding this fact,it is said that selection and training was similiar,but I don't know if I would say that the Americans are really modeled after the SAS. Our group has a specialist role in counter-terror. Also this Col. relinquished command long ago,so who knows now.

[Sigarmed]

I meant for my last post to be for Illbay.

[Brewster]

God Bless the Brits!

Wtih the French as allies ( and the germans, norwegians,...), you don't need any enemies.

The Prez did say something about "any country" providing support to terrorists, didn't he?

[Eagle Eye]

I think it would be safe to say that the roles of both organizations have evolved since 1977.

[Squantos]

Let us not forget the Spetznaz who got handed their hat and run out on the first camel headed north when they went up against the Mujahdeen (sp?)........Spetznaz had no rules or ethics or Geneva Convention to abide by and they still got spanked.

As my 26 years in military service taught me, pretty uniforms and badges and titles don't mean squat to those who've never seen em .

They will hold all warriors accountable in combat. Do not underestimate these folks, as I'm sure the best of the best we possess will not either........

Just my opinion of course......Regards.

[SLB]

Bump for an early morning reply.

[bannie]

I don't CARE who they are...just GET 'EM!

[TheGoodDoc]

The freedom fighters of Afganistan have been fighting the brutal Taleban and Osama bin Ladin for years with no support from anyone on earth. What people simply do not understand is that the US and Britain can land its Airborne Divisions and the the SAS safely in the freedom fighter held Panjshir Valley. There are protected airstrips to bring in whatever the US wants.

The US and SAS forces will be hailed as heros by the long suffering anti-Taleban forces.

From there a military drive south to Kabul, the pitiful capital of that tortured nation. The people of Kabul will be ecstatic at its liberation. You cannot imagine what the Taleban has been doing in the way of brutal repression.

Then a military drive further to the South, where bin Ladin himself has his camps, strongholds, and bases. Some (but not all) of the fanatics will put up a fierce fight before joining Allah.

But the war will not end in Afganistan.

There are probably hundreds of moles in the US who are waiting for the opportunity to commit mass murder, and obviously becoming increasingly sophisticated. The war will end where it began, in the US, when we as a nation decide to protect our borders and systematically root out the bloodthirsty sleeper fanatics.

[Glick & Burnett live on.]

I agree completely. To take them on in a ground war would be horrendous, but if you can get good intel (big if) and get in and out you can be effective against the terroist's training and infrastructure. Cutting off their money may be just as important.

[Dutchy]

A Special Ops bump!!

[Squantos]

I had the good fortune (I think) to work with the Mujhideen in Desert Shield/Storm and I'd think twice about taking on anyone that is giving "them" a bad time on either side of the fence. Those men/boys are hard corp as I experienced em. And as you state, smarter not harder is best in this case IMHO. I'm sure specops planners will take the smart route otherwise shear overpowering numbers or explosive force is all that will suffice. Again, right or wrong just my opinion.....

Stay Safe

[TEXASPROUD]

"There are no peers to the SAS."

Old boy, you evidently have not been introduced to the SBS (Special Boat Squadron)of the Royal Marines.

[Illbay]

Thanks for this cogent analysis. May I add that those who've been calling for "nuking" Afghanistan are ignorant fools. There is PLENTY of opportunity for us to go in there, rout out the baddies, scrag the Taliban and end up with a grateful Afghan nation which will then be a staging area for the next assault which will probably be on Iran.

I am reluctant to state categorically that Iran should be a target; they have been acting a lot more civilized in the last few years. But they have been the eye of the storm of Islamic extremism, and they too will have a large segment of their population eager and ready to have the extremists destroyed. (In fact, I suggest we put together a "political operations force" made up of Iranian-born Americans and second-generation Americans of Iranian descent, to move in and establish a "free Iran" government.

Iraq should either be next or contemporaneous with operations in Iran.

[JRandomFreeper]

Royal Marines.

Soldier, and sailor too. Are they the ones that did the Birkenhead drill?

/john