U.S. deploys B-52 bombers to Qatar for fight against Islamic State

Reuters ^ | April 9th, 2016 | by Andrea Shalal

[Mariner]

The U.S. Air Force deployed B-52 bombers to Qatar on Saturday to join the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the first time they have been based in the Middle East since the end of the Gulf War in 1991.

U.S. Air Forces Central Command said it last flew the long-range bombers operationally in the region in May 2006 as part of the war in Afghanistan, and during a U.S.-led military exercise in Jordan in May 2015.

"The B-52 demonstrates our continued resolve to apply persistent pressure on Daesh and defend the region in any future contingency," said Air Force Lieutenant General Charles Brown, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command.

Daesh is the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State militant movement.

Lieutenant Colonel Chris Karns, spokesman for the Central Command, said he could not provide the exact number of B-52 bombers to be based at Al Udeid Air Basein Qatar due to "operational security reasons."

Washington's decision to deploy its powerful B-52 bombers to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar came as the U.S. military stepped up the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Brown said the bombers would be able to deliver precision weapons and carry out a range of missions, including strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, and maritime operations.

[Steely Tom]

If only Bill Clinton could have refused to bomb Serbia, in favor of Bin Lauden’s KLA, we may have developed a better relationship with Russia. By bombing their Christian ally we really proved to be an untrue friend.

I take a back seat to no one in my contempt for Bill Clinton and his ridiculous administration, but I also don't think Russia is much of a friend even under the best of circumstances.

[Mark was here]

I just can’t help but things could have been better, we will never know. I just think the bombing of Serbia, because they were on the front lines of stopping Islamic expansionism, changed the course of history.

[strongbow]

I was deployed to RAF Fairford in 91 when the provisional bomber wing of B 52’s flew daily missions from England to the desert. They would leave early in the morning and return at night to reload. Nothing says US power like a flight of these monsters flying out fully loaded with bombs in the morning and returning later in the day empty. I still want to cheer when I think of that sound and the sky filling up with those beauties.

[Sequoyah101]

That is where we are in a nutshell, wrecked military and all. This economy has not grown in more than 8 years. This economy has pretty much not grown since 9/11 and that was not all bongo’s fault but he has kicked it over the edge.

[tallyhoe]

Carpet bombing puts the fear of God in the Enemy!!!

[tallyhoe]

When I was in Nam in 1968-69 we could feel the bombs hitting the ground 25 miles away.. Felt like an earth quake!! Everything shakes!!!

[riverdawg]

Thank you. I’ve been saying for 20 years that we were on the wrong side in the Balkans conflict.

[Jane Austen]

I agree.

[DuncanWaring]

I call it “King William’s Great Patriotic War Against Serbia”.

[Tommyjo]

Where have you been? The B-52 and B-1s were doing that in Afghanistan. This is nothing new. The B-52s will simply be replacing the B-1s in the air interdiction and close air support missions over Iraq and Syria.

They have recently upgraded to the new Sniper targeting pod.

http://www.gizmag.com/b-52-sniper-pod/26802/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4PEDiQwyn4