War's opening: Thunderous air assault to open way for ground attack

Associated Press ^ | 3-17-03 | ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer

[Oldeconomybuyer]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In the opening hours of war in Iraq, volleys of terrain-hugging cruise missiles and torrents of precision-guided bombs would seek to blind Saddam Hussein's military, cutting military communications and clearing the way for a ground invasion that would sweep north from Kuwait.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

   

[Mr. Lucky]

Thunderous Air Assault to Open Way for Ground Attack.

Wow! AP is really going out on a limb to predict the use of air power.

[Grut]

I have gotta wonder how different 20th Century history might have been if high explosives sounded like a fart instead of a door slamming.

[w_over_w]

Our soldiers do not fear Saddam. I do not know a single man or woman in uniform who believes that our military will fail or suffer badly, should we go to war with Iraq. The best-informed insist we will hit the Iraqi regime with such overwhelming, unexpected fury that the world will be shocked by our effectiveness.
Ralph Peters (Ret. Army Officer)

[Straight Vermonter]

During Gulf War I only 10-12 of the US carrier based planes were able to use precision bombs. Today all of them are able to use laser guided and or GPS bombs.

[Straight Vermonter]

That is 10-12 of the 50 per ship.

[Ecliptic]

Bomb, Bomb, Bomb.....Bomb-Bomb Iraq!!!!!!!!

[Mat_Helm]

Bump

[slimer]

SHOCK and AWE!!!

[IronJack]

In the opening hours of war in Iraq, volleys of terrain-hugging cruise missiles and torrents of precision-guided bombs would seek to blind Saddam Hussein's military ...

Change subjunctive mood ("would") to future perfect ("will"). Kill "seek to." Add [Saddam Hussein's military ...] Saddam Hussein's family, Saddam Hussein's cabinet, and the guy who trims Saddam Hussein's moustache.

Rerun story on Page One.