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U.S. deploys B-52 bombers to Qatar for fight against Islamic State
Reuters ^ | April 9th, 2016 | by Andrea Shalal

Posted on 04/09/2016 11:36:22 AM PDT by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: b52; daesh; qatar
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To: Mark was here
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.

41 posted on 04/09/2016 3:26:12 PM PDT by Steely Tom (Vote GOP: A Slower Handbasket)
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To: Steely Tom

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.


42 posted on 04/09/2016 3:39:06 PM PDT by Mark was here ("The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam" - Obama.)
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To: Mariner

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.


43 posted on 04/09/2016 3:50:05 PM PDT by strongbow
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To: RedWulf

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.


44 posted on 04/09/2016 5:01:34 PM PDT by Sequoyah101 (It feels like we have exchanged our dreams for survival. We just have a few days that don't suck.)
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To: Chauncey Gardiner

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


45 posted on 04/09/2016 6:12:24 PM PDT by tallyhoe
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To: Chauncey Gardiner

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!!!


46 posted on 04/09/2016 6:14:07 PM PDT by tallyhoe
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To: Mark was here

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


47 posted on 04/09/2016 6:34:25 PM PDT by riverdawg
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To: Mark was here

I agree.


48 posted on 04/09/2016 6:41:49 PM PDT by Jane Austen (Neo-cons are Democrats who love war and illegal aliens)
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To: riverdawg

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


49 posted on 04/10/2016 5:38:13 AM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: Mariner

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


50 posted on 04/12/2016 9:59:45 AM PDT by Tommyjo
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