Good Morning.
This is the Daily Thread of Operation Iraqi Freedom - LIVE THREAD.
It is designed for general conversation about the events of the day. In depth discussion of events should be left to individual threads - but links to the threads or other articles is highly encouraged. This allows us to stay abreast of the situation in general, while also providing a means of obtaining specific information.
Please have mercy on us dial up limited FReepers! Limit the big graphics, post links instead. A breif description of what the graphic is would help:
Special thanks to null and void for keeping these running over the weekend and Monday, to all of you for keeping these threads alive, the AdminMods for their tolerance, mhking for the video links, and, of course, Belly Girl...
Wow! Chilling first hand account of 300 armed 'farmers' hiding in trenches firing at our convoy. Thanks for the link. Sadly, this will still be reported as a couple of row croppers and one rifle by the quagmire quarter.
Since we're all desk warriors...what are you guys realistically hoping to see when the sun goes down tonight?
Showing paratroopers. One doesn't look Anglo.
Checked your link to the opposition - could onyl stomach about half - one word for all of them - nitwits!
CENTCOM Briefing, Tues. Mar. 26:
Major Gen. Gene Renuart
"It's a little bit ugly out there." Rain, wind...."However, that hasn't stopped us."
"Coaltion forces maintain and increase pressure on all fronts."
"The air component will fly over 1400 missions (today)....paying particular attention to the RG....and they will also focus on key regime C&C facilities."
"The message that we continue to pass..through leaflets, radio...that the Iraqi people should stay at home and stay away from (key) buildings, stay off the road...we ask all the civilians to stay in their (homes - battlefields a dangerous place)."
"We'll deal with the regular and irregular forces wherever we find them."
"The oil fields and the ports are real jewels for the Iraqi people."
"We're making very good progress (dousing oil well fires)." Also, humanitarian aid on the way.
"Our maritime forces are hard at work.." providing air support, de-mining and providing security.
Coalition partners conducting missions throughout country.
"We remain completely focused. We have the finest forces in the world."
(Maj?)Gen. Vincent Brooks:
Strike updates:
Equipment and command locations: west Iraq -
Armored personnel carrier in E. Iraq -
An artillary piece in E. Iraq -
A tank in a defensive position in C. Iraq -
Regime target...key CCC:
Military headquarters in NE Baghdad -
Water treatment plant in NW Iraq - regime deliberately hid short-range ballistic missiles near this plant-
Parachute assault to seize a desert landing strip - combat camera team inside aircraft, they continue their mission.
Land forces continued advance toward Nasiriyah, defeated an enemy advance N. of Basrah: tanks were repelled.
Beginning to see trenches filled w/oil surrounding Baghdad...prepared to be ignited. Ignition's begun already.
Coalition maritime forces continue to clear the waters and counter regime efforts to mine the N. Arabian Gulf waters.
Currently broadcasting on 5 frequencies, 24 hours a day, since the 17th - lifesaving info, also, 120,000 more leaflets dropped last night...we can see movements, and don't attempt to use WMDs.
Humanitarian rations are ready to go.
Mig 23 pic shown...towed into a cemetary. Struck by us.
Ramallah oil field: pic showing a well head rigged for demolition, it was detonated and did not ignite. "This is one that we don't have to put out."
Questions: Maj. Gen. Renuart, U.S. Air Force:
"We have noticed some attempts by the Iraqis to use GPS jamming systems that they procured from another nation...we have located...and destroyed all 6 of those jammers." "Had no effect on us. In fact, we destroyed one of those jammers w/ a GPS weapon." Smiles.
"The battlefield extends across the coutnry now. We have forces in all parts of the country....we feel it's safer for the Iraqi people to remain in their homes...their villages."
Re. enemy forces: "I think for those people that have been subjected to (our ) attacks, that there is a fair amount of awe their." "We did not underestimate that there (would) be Iraqi forces capable of fighting."
Re. the N. front: "We continue to work with those folks (Kurds and Turks) in order to fuse together a secure environment." Continue to use military power where necessary.
Re. sandstorms: "Certainly, the weather...sand, winds do effect the Apaches...this is a synergic approach...flexible...we continue to use (efforts) that aren't hampered by the weather." "We have the most sophisticated recon. in the world."
"These irregular forces are terrorizing their own people." "A day or two ago...where we were able to strike a local (HQ), there was a noticeable change in the people." (positive)
"I think it's important to remember that warfare...even at it's most precise...is not absolute...some % of weapons will err from their targets...there is no doubt about that." We ask people to stay at home.
Re. securing oil fields: "Those oil fires burning are more of a hazzard to the people living in Baghdad" (then to us tactically).
"Our plan from the beginning was not designed to make it in 2 days." "We had every expectation that the regime would not disappear and crumble"..about a regime that has ruled in fear...for 30 years....we're on our time line.
"I think Basrah has always been a key objective for us in order to return security to the city." "The Red Cross has been able to return about 40% of the water"...to the city (originally 'turned off' by the regime).
Re. Basrah: "Our intent is not to seize the city, for sure."...but to secure it for the Iraqi people.
"One of the important aspects is to very rapidly establish a threat to the RG....we understood that we'd have to reestablish security in the south"....people in the cities being held hostage by very small elements...
We've destroyed targets capable of delivering WMDs..."We have forces that are in and amongst the Kurds and that continues to provide them security..."
"We, too, believe that Basrah has been a humanitarian crisis to the Iraqi people.... Most pressing issue was for water...we're beginning to see it flow..(pipes, water plants).."A number of NGOs are already gathered to provide humanitarian aid." (answer to q. about Kofi's "concern" ack)
Baath Party special forces a threat to neighbors, the Iraqi people know. "We've seen a noticeable change" already..when these threats have been taken out by us.
"Human shields are a cowardly way to act on a battle field."
"Iraqi regime is placing military equipment" ...in and around schools, hospitals..endangering their people.
"We have had wonderful support from the Polish military. ...Each nation in the coalition has its own desires for how much or how little publicity it gets."
Re. the media coverage: "That was a set up question." "The media is a snapshot of what it sees at that point." Each nation has its own media...mentions Ernie Pyle..."but it took 6 months for their stories to get back to the press." "I don't think the media has had an adverse effect." Embedded reporters doing well.
Military targets being destroyed in "hundreds of sorties everyday." "Revisit targets we have not killed."
Re. Iraqi TV, why still on the air? "Our targetting plan is just about exactly what Gen. Franks wanted it to be...we'll continue to work through our plan to effect regime C&C w/o hurting the Iraqi people."
"There are some who would believe everything they see on television." "As we talk to leaders around the region, around the world - it doesn't seem to be a message that's taking as much as some people think." (re. Iraqi propaganda)
Re. Australians: "No nation has given us a second team." "The Australians contributing both on the air and the ground and the sea"..."Each nation is involved in a very well integrated coaltition network. It's seamless. It really is."
Re. WMDs: "Baghdad is really the heart of the regime...I expect that they hold their most valuable treasures close to their heart." Continue to interview, search..
"For quite some time in Aghanistan we have integrated humanitarian aid and (the) military extremely successfully." "There is a way to integrate the two."
Re. toughest battle so far: "I think the dark days are probably coming for the dark side...Saddam's regime (have them) coming." "We have to make sure we keep our focus on (those) objectives."
"The morale is absolutely sky high." "They ahve so far displayed great enthusiasm...great courage...and in the end, to quote Gen. Franks, we will win."
Thay had a picture of what was basically s den in the sand. We don't touch them because they may be booby trapped but I'm sure they get blown.
Not charitable... pragmatic...
I think it is more of a case of conflicting styles. McAffery is a "bigger is better" (Army - note the big A) style. Franks is more of a high-tech, "joint" commander who believes in using all the services together.
