Sources: Pentagon to put troops on 'hair-trigger' alert

CNN ^ | 3/14/03 | From Jamie McIntyre

[Jewels1091]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sources say the Pentagon is ready to put U.S. troops massed around Iraq on "hair-trigger" alert -- essentially ready to begin a war if Saddam Hussein attacks U.S. troops, his neighbors or his people out of desperation.

[John Jamieson]

Never mind! I found it a few rhreads down:

WASHINGTON - In a departure from the patrols by fighter jets over Iraq (news - web sites) in recent months, a U.S. B-1B bomber struck two anti-aircraft radar sites in western Iraq on Friday, military officials said.

The strikes at 1420 GMT targeted a radar system near Iraq's H3 airfield and another airfield near Ruwayshid, only a few miles (kilometers) from the border with Jordan, military officials said. The strikes came after Iraqi forces moved one of the systems into the no-fly zone patrolled by U.S. and British planes over southern Iraq, the officials said.

[FreeReign]

Prior to the start of "Desert Storm", many troops had been in place for almost five months. The significant diference is that the Desert Storm ground offensive commenced on February 24. We are waiting WAY too long this time. Thank you Colin Powell and our European "Allies". We WILL remeber this.

The president is responsible for any decision to wait -- not the secretary of state or our allies. At this point I believe there are many factors that we don't know about that went into the president's decision.

BTW, the weather forecast for the next seven days in Bagdad is as follows;

Scattered Clouds. High: 71° F. / 22° C. Friday Night Scattered Clouds. Low: 42° F. / 6° C. Saturday Scattered Clouds. High: 75° F. / 24° C. Saturday Night Clear. Low: 46° F. / 8° C. Sunday Scattered Clouds. High: 80° F. / 27° C. Sunday Night Clear. Low: 50° F. / 10° C. Monday Clear. High: 80° F. / 27° C. Monday Night Scattered Clouds. Low: 55° F. / 13° C. Tuesday Scattered Clouds. High: 78° F. / 26° C. Tuesday Night Scattered Clouds. Low: 46° F. / 8° C. Wednesday Scattered Clouds. High: 73° F. / 23° C. Wednesday Night Scattered Clouds. Low: 42° F. / 6° C. Thursday Scattered Clouds. High: 66° F. / 19° C. Thursday Night Scattered Clouds. Low: 41° F. / 5° C.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[a_Turk]

>> Those warships were moved from the Mediterranean because Turkey has refused to grant access to its airspace.

Look buster! Our constitution requires that ANY PERMISSION TO USE OUR AIRSPACE HAS TO BE GIVEN BY OUR PARLIAMENT.

Turkey has not refused access to her airspace. THAT REQUEST ONLY CAME DAYS AGO when the government was in process of changing due to elections last Sunday.

You poor slobs are at the mercy of your press. On one hand you slam CNN for not being conservative enough, on the other hand you use their stories to slam me! Make up your @^%$#@& minds!!

[KickRightRudder]

Sorry, but Bush won't do a damn thing to punish our enemies.His uncle is busy profiteering in China with the US/CHINA chamber of Commerce. All they care about is money.

[AntiGuv]

If you're looking to evaluate the weather situation for the beginning stages of the war, then you would want to keep track of the forecast for Kuwait City & Basra rather than Baghdad. Any initial biochem attack would take place under those circumstances, rather than the prevailing weather in Baghdad. As such, this is the next 6 days forecast for Basra:

Saturday
Clear. High: 78° F. / 26° C.

Saturday Night
Clear. Low: 50° F. / 10° C.

Sunday
Clear. High: 82° F. / 28° C.

Sunday Night
Clear. Low: 50° F. / 10° C.

Monday
Clear. High: 84° F. / 29° C.

Monday Night
Clear. Low: 53° F. / 12° C.

Tuesday
Scattered Clouds. High: 87° F. / 31° C.

Tuesday Night
Scattered Clouds. Low: 62° F. / 17° C.

Wednesday
Scattered Clouds. High: 87° F. / 31° C.

Wednesday Night
Scattered Clouds. Low: 50° F. / 10° C.

Thursday
Scattered Clouds. High: 73° F. / 23° C.

Thursday Night
Scattered Clouds. Low: 46° F. / 8° C.

[JohnBovenmyer]

likely will not be available in a war

Well, if we aren't going to use them on Iraq we could make a port call at Spain on the way home and use them on France.

[TexKat]

The president is responsible for any decision to wait -- not the secretary of state or our allies.

Thank you.

[hobson]

I agree with you about people overreacting to news reports.
I have to ask what's the deal with the tag line?

[cibco]

"I understand the importance of armor. However, I believe situations such as this indicate the need for viable alternatives to traditional armored assets. Alas this may represent the end of the line for the M1A2. More flexible platforms are needed for situations like this one. Platforms that can be more easily prepositioned. Just a thought."

11 posted on 03/14/2003 11:09 PM CST by Don'tMessWithTexas

There has been a lot of discussion here and in the media about Turkey, the 4th Div and air access to N Iraq. I am getting the impression that this is begining to be similar to the same situation during Gulf War 1.

There was endless speculation about the Marine amphibious invasion of Kuwait. The speculation of casualties, the numerous scenerios of attack and the methods that the Marines would use to carry it out. Saddam concentrated his forces to counter this sea attack. Wrong move.

Saddam last night shifted forces to the west and south. A thrust from Turkey in the north(wink wink) is out of the question. You can't attack without the M1A2 tanks.

I am watching what happens in the north. A WAG would be a thrust south by Turkish forces with American forces behind them to protect the Kurds positions in the area. The Turks would advance on Bhagdad while the US forces would move in behind to protect Kurd interests.

Just speculation.

[My Favorite Headache]

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[My Favorite Headache]

Sunday night...early Monday morning

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

I believe that we have assets in the region that can take advantage of speed and flexibility. I believe that air assets can be rapidly deployed to locations in northern Iraq once hostilities begin. Hence, overflight rights in Turkey are not necessary. Meanwhile, air cavalry will be able to transport troops to northern Iraq with impunity to secure oil fields and protect the Kurds.

The battleground will quickly concentrate in the area around Baghdad. This will be made much easier to exploit with the use of E-bombs and our air capability. I get the feeling that securing the Baghdad airport will be a major objective.

In the end, therefore, the armor destined for Turkey may not be needed in the long run. However, it is possible that we will send armor in a flanking move quickly through Kuwait to northwestern Iraq, to secure positions there and to be put into position for the battle of Baghdad. Just some thoughts.

[AntiGuv]

That scenario makes no sense, for a number of reasons.

First of all, there is no discernible motivation for the Turks to mount an assault of Baghdad, thereby assuming the political and military consequences & casualties.

Secondly, they would risk an explosive outburst of domestic anger from a Turkish population both intensely hostile to & completely unprepared for such a deployment.

Third (and closely related), Turkey would be furiously vilified in the Arab world - which already views them with extreme prejudice - and therefore become a target of terrorist organizations for probably a generation.

Fourth, and quite importantly, the Turkish military (while admirable in regional comparisons) is notably inferior to an American force. The element of potential surprise would get more than outbalanced by the reduced effectiveness of the invasion force.

Fifth, this would practically guarantee exactly that scenario most feared in northern Iraq: a chaotic conflict between Turkish military forces, Kurdish insurgents, Iranian backed Shi'ites, and Iraqi Sunni radicals.

Sixth, one need only take a quick trip down to Fort Hood in Texas to see that the 4th Infantry has not been deployed anywhere - which includes a backup deployment for a hypothetical Turkish invasion of Iraq.

Finally, there's little reason to believe that the Iraqi military would assume a tactical stance much different than the present whether or not a surprise Turkish invasion force were in the cards. Indeed, I think there's a general expectation of both a limited Turkish intervention and a northern front opened by airborne American forces.

I suppose there's an outside chance for the oft-speculated Turkish based surprise northern front scenario, but I'd find myself rather surprised if that proves the case. I personally don't think this would be the wisest course - for the various reasons outlined above - but I suppose we'll find out soon enough.

[bybybill]

I`m trying to write a reply to your idiotic post"...all Bush cares about is money" and I can`t come up with the words that describe how vile and ignorant it was.

[cibco]

Yep... I have come around to the idea that MBT's are becoming like horse cavalry. Air superiority is the prime objective. You need light, mobile armour to occupy the field after knocking out the armour from the air.

This is from a Army person.

[mrsalty]

Dont waste youre fingers, just another idiot troll like we have seen on the other post tonite.

[Colorado Doug]

I think that Turkey might "come around" at the last minute and surprise everyone. I think that there will be a Northern front that Saddam is not expecting. What is your feeling on this Turk?

[Jewels1091]

He is COMMANDER of this war...he is the planner and he sees that things get where they are suppose to be!!

[Jeff Chandler]

>>However, the Threat Level has been raised from Avocado to Harvest Gold.<<

I don't worry until it goes to Rust.