Posted on 08/04/2003 6:49:50 AM PDT by Hugenot
U.S. weapons inspectors have discovered "dozens of Iraqi air force fighter jets" buried in the sand near an airfield west of Baghdad, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
Inspectors stumbled upon the startling find after noticing two tail fins poking up through the sand. Beneath the telltale stabilizer wings - a completely intact Soviet built Cold war era MIG-25.
By the time the excavation was complete, inspectors had uncovered "30-plus" aircraft hidden underground, a fairly sizable contingent considering that Saddam's air force was supposedly all but destroyed after the first Gulf War.
Though major U.S. media outlets largely ignored the shocking find, the Journal noted:
"If it's possible to hide 30-plus aircraft for several months with 150,000 troops on the lookout, secreting vials of poison gas or anthrax has to be a cinch."
Not to mention a nuclear weapon or two, we might add.
As per its usual flatfooted performance, the Bush White House has done little to publicize their blockbuster discovery.
I seem to recall that most of the Iraqi Air Force flew off to Iran before GW1.
Inspectors stumbled upon the startling find after noticing two tail fins poking up through the sand.
Their military can’t even bury their planes properly.
That's not the point the administration has made, Carl. They said they'd release info as a complete package...when they are ready. Although this is a nice find and highly indicative of what they may have done with other more lethal stuff, it's not a blockbuster on it's own merit.
What's the point of publicity prior to election season. Bush is allowing the Dems to go on record with all their speculations and accusations, but he will cut their feet off next year.
just maybe their more lethal stuff is buried as well and not shipped off to another country.
one could only hope.
May 3, 2002 - Iraq has issued another appeal for the return of aircraft flown to Iran on the eve of the 1991 Gulf war.
Iraq said it flew 148 military and civilian aircraft to Teheran to avoid destruction by the United States. Iran has never returned the aircraft, linking it to demands for Iraqi compensation for the 1980-88 war between Baghdad and Teheran.
Iran is holding 24 Su-24, 4 MiG-29s, four MiG-25s 12 MiG-23s, 24 Su-20 and S-25 fighter-jets. In addition, President Saddam Hussein ordered 20 Tu-22 bombers to Iran.
Most of the aircraft are said to have deteriorated through lack of maintenance. Teheran, however, has quietly overhauled Iraq's fleet of 24 Mirage F-1B fighters.
Earlier this week, Saddam called on Iran and other countries to return the aircraft, saying they would be used to help the Palestinian war against Israel.
An Iraqi official said Iran has also blocked plans by Iraqi technicians to maintain the aircraft. The official told the Baghdad-based Al Rafidin magazine that this has hampered efforts to improve Iranian-Iraqi relations.
And this is not the first time planes have been discovered buried in Iraq, from April 2003:
More than 50 fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft missiles and guns and huge amounts of ammunition have been found buried and hidden at a base in western Iraq. The aircraft, many in good condition, included three Russian-made Mig 25s, one of the fastest fighters in the world. Some were buried, while others were concealed in buildings and under camouflage netting.
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