[Green]

The interesting question is "why sieze the airport first?"

Stormin Norman has said on many occasions that he knew that Saddam had an airplane on standby to take him out of the counry during the first gulf war. Perhaps taking the airport was to prevent a quick get away attempt (not that he would have gotten very far)

[AlextheWise1]

the airport is a big open space. Easily defended

[dfwgator]

The interesting question is "why sieze the airport first?"

So that the Russians wouldn't get their first, like in Kosovo.

[hawkaw]

FWIW, if you look at a map, SHIA is but one of three or four airports in or around Baghdad. There is even a military airport near the centre of Baghdad.

hawk