CENTCOM Briefing Discussion Thread, 9:00 AM Eastern (Gen. Tommy Franks)

All the Networks

[leadpenny]

Coming up in about 15 minutes. MSNBC is reporting that the briefing may be pushed back to 9:30.

[Catspaw]

MSNBC just said it would take place on time (9 a.m. Eastern).

I'm ready.

[Thane_Banquo]

If they push it back, perhaps it means an incoming strike on Baghdad.

[steveegg]

Well, they did a rather convenient pause for the Pentagon briefing yesterday.

[leadpenny]

We may not need to strike. They are setting themselves on fire. :)

[leadpenny]

Thanks

[illumini]

DATA PLATES on French, German, Chinese, N. Korean & Russian spare parts and equipment will show the serial number, DATE, place & source of manufacture.

This will be a smoking gun for all to see, as evidence those countries violated the bans in trade to Iraq.

PLEASE USE IT GEORGE!

[leadpenny]

While you wait, especially for you Navy History buffs, Vice Adm. Robert Dunn (Ret), President, Naval Historical Foundation, is on C-SPAN discussing Aircraft Carriers.

[Semper Paratus]

I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope that Franks will say anything that we don't already know.

[Catspaw]

Naw, Tommy Franks is just going to give us a very terse briefing of what we know already, but hey, it gives all those newsies in Qatar something to do.

[bucephalus]

I thought it was Barney Frank who was in charge of this war.

[leadpenny]

Carl Rochelle, MSNBC, is explaining how Franks doesn't like to mix it up with the press. BTW, didn't Rochelle work for CNN at one time?

[leadpenny]

LOL. MSNBC just showed a pic of Gen T. Franks with the caption. Cdr in Chief, CENTCOM. I thought Rummy changed the title of the Joint and Unified commanders?

[steveegg]

First thing he acknowledged is the sacrifices already made.

[visagoth]

A few of our 'media elite' (cough cough) keep grousing about how expensive the media center was to put together ($250,000)

Funny how they whine and cry about something that was created for their comfort and use.

[TomGuy]

Honors the fallen heroes.

[netmilsmom]

Hahahahaha!

[Normal4me]

I had heard 1.5 million for it, about the same price as a Tomahawk missile. A drop in the bucket as far as the grand scheme is concerned really :)

[leadpenny]

Biography of General Tommy R. Franks

General Tommy R. Franks is the Commander in Chief, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

General Franks was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1967 as a distinguished graduate of the Artillery Officer Candidate School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After an initial tour as a battery Assistant Executive Officer at Fort Sill, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, Republic of Vietnam, where he served as Forward Observer, Aerial Observer, and Assistant S-3 with 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery. He also served as Fire Support Officer with 5th Battalion (mechanized), 60th Infantry during this tour.

In 1968, General Franks returned to Fort Sill, where he commanded a cannon battery in the Artillery Training Center. In 1969, he was selected to participate in the Army's "Boot Strap Degree Completion Program," and subsequently attended the University of Texas, Arlington, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1971. Following attendance at the Artillery Advance Course, he was assigned to the Second Armored Cavalry Regiment in West Germany in 1973 where he commanded 1st Squadron Howitzer Battery, and served as Squadron S-3. He also commanded the 84th Armored Engineer Company, and served as Regimental Assistant S-3 during this tour.

General Franks, after graduation from Armed Forces Staff College, was posted to the Pentagon in 1976 where he served as an Army Inspector General in the Investigations Division. In 1977 he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff, Army where he served on the Congressional Activities Team, and subsequently as an Executive Assistant.

In 1981, General Franks returned to West Germany where he commanded 2nd Battalion, 78th Field Artillery for three years. He returned to the United States in 1984 to attend the Army War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he also completed graduate studies and received a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration at Shippensburg University. He was next assigned to Fort Hood Texas as III Corps Deputy Assistant G3, a position he held until 1987 when he assumed command of Division Artillery, First Cavalry Division. He also served as Chief of Staff, First Cavalry Division during this tour.

His initial general officer assignment was Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver), First Cavalry Division during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. During 1991-92, he was assigned as Assistant Commandant of the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill. In 1992, he was assigned to Fort Monroe, Virginia as the first Director, Louisiana Maneuvers Task Force, Office of Chief of Staff of the Army, a position held until 1994 when he was reassigned to Korea as the CJG3 of Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea.

From 1995-97, General Franks commanded the Second Infantry (Warrior) Division, Korea. He assumed command of Third (U.S.) Army/Army Forces Central Command in Atlanta, Georgia in May 1997, a post he held until June 2000 when he was selected for promotion to General and assignment as Commander in Chief, United States Central Command.<p. General Franks' awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Distinguished Service Medal (two awards); Legion of Merit (four awards); Bronze Star Medal with "V" (three awards); Purple Heart (three awards); Air Medal with "V"; Army Commendation Medal with "V"; and a number of U.S. and foreign service awards. He wears the Army General Staff Identification Badge and the Aircraft Crewmember's Badge.

[leadpenny]

Now for the questions.