Israeli forces operating inside Iraq, hunting missiles: newsletter

Agence France-Presse | September 27, 2002

[dixiechick2000]

Multiple air raids may clear sky for war (100 Brit and US planes hit Iraq yesterday)

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | September 7 2002 |

Michael Smith in London

"About 100 American and British aircraft have taken part in an attack on the main air defence command centre for western Iraq in the biggest single operation over the country for four years."

http://www.FreeRepublic.com/focus/news/745812/posts

Nevermind, I found it. Thanks!

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Israel should step aside, shut the ---- up, and let us take care of business.

One advantage for us and for them is that Israel is not hampered by political correctness.

[Always A Marine]

Published reports indicate that the majority of air strikes have been concentrated in southern Iraq, and in the areas surrounding Baghdad. Common sense dictates that we (US/UK) would focus our fires on the areas we intend to invade. And common sense also dictates that Israel would focus on those areas from which it might be attacked. It looks like each is prudently pursuing his own self-interest...

[HAL9000]

Multiple air raids may clear sky for war (100 Brit and US planes hit Iraq yesterday)

That report was inaccurate -

US Denies Report of Major Raid on Western Iraq

[Always A Marine]

"About 100 American and British aircraft have taken part in an attack on the main air defence command centre for western Iraq in the biggest single operation over the country for four years."

We are systematically destroying Iraq's command and control capabilities; more recently, we destroyed the Basra facility in eastern Iraq.

But back to the topic, the main Israeli concern is locating spots on the ground where Iraq might stage and fire Scuds at Israel. IDF ground recce missions are intended to provide targeting data for preemptive air strikes by the IAF when hostilities are imminent.

[katana]

Thanks for the clarification. I suspect it will take years for our military to recover from those eight years but at least the damage has been halted and begun to be reversed. Thank the Lord for those few hundred votes in Florida.

[mikegi]

One advantage for us and for them is that Israel is not hampered by political correctness.

Are you sure? Arafat is still breathing. How many times has the IDF moved on Arafat's compound without killing him (which they could easily do)?

When we go into Iraq, what do you think will happen if we find out Saddam is located? Same goes for UBL. If we somehow managed to take him alive, we'd hang him at Gitmo.

[dixiechick2000]

Thank you both for the information.

HAL, thanks for the link. I must have missed that.

AaM, your posts make very good sense. Will you be deploying any time soon?

[Bedford Forrest]

Thank the Lord for those few hundred votes in Florida.

Amen, Brother.

[solmar_israel]

Last I remember, during the Gulf War, we took plenty of time 'getting ready' for things, logistically.

We outnumbered them, both in terms of manpower, firepower, and technology.

In 1948, 1956, and 1967 the Israelis were not only outnumbered as many as 10 to 1 on the battlefield, 100 to 1 population wise, and 10,000 to 1 in land mass, but faught with INFERIOR TECHNOLOGY.

Additionally, the didn't just fight Iraq (as we did) but also faught Syria, Lebannon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and others, often simultaneously. Actually in 1948, they didn't even have a single armored tank or a real air force.

Israel is also 6 miles wide at its narrow point and can be cut in half. America didn't face that problem.

I don't think one can compare the Israeli-Arab wars to the American-Iraqi one.

Finally, one should remember that MANY of our fighting tactics, especially in regards to modern urban fighting, anti-terror, and special forces, are actually learned from the Israelis. Sharon's tactics in 1973 are also basic text book material for many of our officers.

The Israelis aren't supernatural, but from a purely military perspective, their military achievements against overwhelming odds are unmatched by ANY NATION, the world over in the second half of the 20th century, or perhaps in modern history.

It is okay to show a friend respect, especially when well deserved.

[xJones]

...the Great Cowardly SinkWanker

That's good! I hadn't heard that particular phrasing before. :)