BBC Live Footage-B52's About to Take off from RAF Fairford..

BBC News ^ | March 19, 2003 | staff reporter

[ewing]

Just showed live worldwide, engines have been turned on- loaded for bear.

2,000 pound JDAM's, 7-8 hours to arrival right on the deadline. (prime time USA)

[ewing]

Godspeed

[linear]

I echo that, but I'd prefer we not give so much advance notice.

[finnman69]

screengrabs anyone?

[RightWhale]

Psychwar.

6.7 hours.

[ewing]

ping

[SamAdams76]

Apparently some very large aircraft are departing England. Destination: Baghdad. ETA - 7 hours.

[ewing]

I would't blame them if we get there a bit early after 13 years...

[Oldeconomybuyer]

 

[Petronski]

Ping.

[demlosers]

Right on schedule. Its about 8 hours to Iraq. Bombing commences at 0301 Zulu. Bagdad time.

Here is comes Saddam. What ya going to do when the bombs go wild on you?

It doesn't matter if we tell them when the pitch is coming since we have Air Domination!

[neutrino]

I echo that, but I'd prefer we not give so much advance notice.

I hear you...but I wonder if this isn't a case where we can be so confident that we don't need to bother with that? Where we can call our shots, let them happen, and Iraq can do (essentially) nothing? I would think that would have a powerful effect on those who protect Saddamy H....

[ewing]

That is one big aircraft.

[KMG365]

The should arrive in time for prime-time TV tonight...

[elephant]

I have to agree with your post. Loose lips sink ships, for gods sake.

[Carolina]

Ping!

[SENTINEL]

"I echo that, but I'd prefer we not give so much advance notice. "

We need to signal to the internal resistance and populace unhappy with Saddam that it's time to move out. The Iraqis can do nothing to stop our bombers. Don't forget, were sending in hundreds of Tomahawks first also.

If we weren't fighting a pissant third-world country you would be right.

The down side, in this case, of telegraphing our intentions is miniscule.

[RightWhale]

That long?

They could loiter and do in-air refuelling. Stay up for days.

[MEG33]

I would normally be horrified at advance notice,but this time it is almost already announced.

[linear]

I think overconfidence can lead to disaster. Surprise, even a tactical surprise in this case, is a force multiplier - why should we give it up if we don't have to?