First U.S. plane lands at Baghdad airport

Reuters | 4/06/03

[kattracks]

First U.S. plane lands at Baghdad airport

BAGHDAD AIRPORT, April 6 (Reuters) - The first U.S. military aircraft landed at Baghdad airport on Sunday, a U.S. military source told Reuters.

"At least one aircraft has landed at the airport," said the senior source in the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division's aviation brigade, who was at the airport.

He said a C-130 military transporter landed at about 8 p.m. local time (1600 GMT), about an hour after dark, on the western, military side of the airport. He gave no details of whether it was carrying a load.

U.S. forces seized the airport, some 20 km (12 miles) southwest of the city centre, on Friday. They said on Sunday they controlled practically all road access to the city too.

04/06/03 13:15 ET

[EGPWS]

You mean the "operational pause?" (snicker!)

Yea that's it!

As much as I've heard from the media about "a pause", if that is the case I can just imagine what it would be like if we put on an all out "Blitzkrieg"!

[EGPWS]

Is it a lull or a quagmire?

If it's a quagmire, our military has just redefined the word!

[2Jedismom]

I told my dad last night I thought they would probably take the reporters to an unused airport somewhere.

[Capt. Tom]

You can see the two runways in the center of the picture. They run NW to SE.
Bagdad is to the east. Looks like we have control over the approach areas. - Tom

[kimmie7]

Hey, we're not even in Iraq. We're just waggin' the dog. </sarcasm>

[SC Swamp Fox]

Someone needs to tell our good friend, Tony Snow, that the C-130 is NOT "a large jet".

It is the largest turbo-prop aircraft I can think of.

[supercat]

Someone needs to tell our good friend, Tony Snow, that the C-130 is NOT "a large jet". :)

Until last weekend, I believe a C130 could be landed at Meigs Field in Chicago.

[tricky_k_1972]

I think those building hights might have been "adjusted" somewhat. Have to put out a NOTAM.

[Polybius]

Anybody know which way the runways are pointed? North to south or east to west? I kinda hate to think of taking off or landing over enemy held areas.

Northwest to southeast. The flightpaths avoid the city center.

Pilotage Chart: Baghdad Airport

[Swampmarine]

When we find out the time, bump the 3ID out at Saddam International to expect yet another homicide bus.

[decimon]

Didn't you know? The whole airport thing is being faked on the same soundstage we used to fake the Apollo moon landings.

You don't know the half of it. There is no war. It's a ruse to raise taxes.

This subliminal system doesn't just tell a person to feel an emotion, it makes them feel it, it implants that emotion in their minds,” the report said. Nessie said, “Not only is it possible (Really, look it up.) to beam voices directly into your head by way of microwaves and ultrasonics, but technology exists that makes it possible to directly affect your emotions themselves. It's the electronic equivalent of demonic possession.”

Beaming

[browardchad]

The tank was on fire and I saw someone, perhaps the tank commander throw a grenade into the open turret, so they may not have bombed it. I did not see a crater when they showed the burnt out hulk.

Same difference -- since the Iraqis were telling the reporters they had done the damage, and achieved a "great victory." (gag)

[AgThorn]

>> Like they're going to land an empty plane??
> When you make up a list of high-priority time-critical items,
> there are things that need to move in both directions.

of course ... but that doesn't 'splain or rationalize sending an empty plane in one direction. Since it's a C-130, I can imagine that it came with a lot of equipment ...

Since the 4th ID is on it's way and slated for Bagdad, I am wondering if the airport is the fastest way to get them and their equipment up there ... hate to see another long march from Kuwait.

[ewing]

I love a good map..

[AgThorn]

All photo's that I have seen of this airport looks like the eastern most runways were still under construction, not quite complete ... just as an apparent expansion of the terminal building itself was also underway. Made me wonder if Saddam was getting ready to bid for a shot at the 2012 Olympics!! ;-)

Anyway, anyone else have an opinion on my impression of the airport photo's being half under-construction?

[finnman69]

Food and ammo.

[WaterDragon]

The Iraqis insisting that the airport is still in their hands reminds me of those who still insist we didn't land men on the moon.

[finnman69]

got a better map of Baghdad here shows runways, tarmacs, buildings, access roads etc


http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/baghdad_nima_2003.jpg

plus a ton of other great detail maps

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/iraq.html

russkie street map of Baghdad

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/baghdad_south_1991.jpg

[DudleyDoright]

Since the 4th ID is on it's way and slated for Bagdad, I am wondering if the airport is the fastest way to get them and their equipment up there ... hate to see another long march from Kuwait.

I thought of that too, until a good friend reminded me that a C-17 can only take 1 M-1A1 tank at a time. That's a LOT of C-17 sorties to get just the division's tanks into position.

More than likely they will overland march the tanks & APCs into position with HETs and then offload ready to fight.

[1poedpatriot]

about 15 degrees nortwest to southeast