RAF to lead the air blitz

The Sun ^ | January 28, 2003 | TREVOR KAVANAGH

[MadIvan]

On standby ... RAF Tornadoes like these

THREE dozen RAF bombers are on standby to lead an air blitz on Iraq.

Tornados, Jaguars and Harriers have a fortnight to prepare to fly to the Gulf.

The RAF package will be beefed up by reconnaissance aircraft, refuelling tankers and early warning AWACS jets.

Defence chiefs have ordered 60 extra aircraft to fly to Kuwait and Turkey ready for an air war.

They will be armed with the latest "fire and forget" laser and satellite-guided missiles, making them 100 times more powerful than those used in the Gulf War.

Britain already has 21 aircraft in the region patrolling the two no-fly zones over north and south Iraq. Up to 12 Tornado GR4s armed with Paveway II and III bombs will be sent. They will be able to launch weapons in all weathers thanks to satellite control.

The Harriers will be able to launch strike missions from makeshift runways in Iraq.

They carry Maverick missiles bought from the US after the Kosovo campaign proved RAF weapons could not be fired in poor weather.

Tornados from Marham in Norfolk and Harriers from Wittering, Cambs, are likely to be based in Incirlik, Turkey.

[MadIvan]

What, you didn't think the RAF was going to let your flyboys have all the fun, did you? ;)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Mo1]

They will be armed with the latest "fire and forget" laser and satellite-guided missiles, making them 100 times more powerful than those used in the Gulf War.

Well Hello Brits .. glad your on our side

[JudgemAll]

Honor and duty first, let us not let lady truth be soiled by anyone around.

[Rain-maker]

The Brits have been with us in the Northern and Southern fly zones since inception.

 

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/northern_watch.htm

 

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/northern_watch.htm

 

 

 

 

 

[happygrl]

What, you didn't think the RAF was going to let your flyboys have all the fun, did you? ;)

Welcome to the Party!

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Nice Mudshark picture.

[Credo]

The guest host on Rush yesterday gave the best reason for US/UK coalition not revealing "smoking gun" locations. It's simply that we do not want the Iraqis know that we may know an exact location so they don't move it.

Priority of strikes will be WMD sites and command and control. The Iraqis do not delegate well and will not be able to functions w/o communications. W/O Sadaam breathing down his neck, I doubt a commander is going to launch WMD knowing the consequences if we catch up to him. Gitmo is lovely in July.

[smith288]

The guest host on Rush yesterday gave the best reason for US/UK coalition not revealing "smoking gun" locations. It's simply that we do not want the Iraqis know that we may know an exact location so they don't move it.

We wont even tell the UN inspectors, they will inform the Iraqis themselves. We trust the UN as far as we trust Saddam himself. Its all diplomacy and it sucks but thats life.

[Dog Gone]

Please don't lead the air blitz. We can take turns sharing the fun!

[ladtx]

We can take turns sharing the fun!

We've got the barrel now all we need are the fish!

[Blueflag]

It's no wonder this is a short range aircraft. What a dirty configuration. Guess the Brits didn't design for "conformal". Makes a Warthog look sleek!

Nice pic though, and I wouldn't want this thing pointed AT me. ;-)

[Copperhead61]

Relax Dog, I'm sure they'll let us fill in for them during 'elevenses'. Right Ivan ;)?

[hattend]

Way to go, RAF!

Thanks!

[bmwcyle]

Let the games begin.

[Charles Martel]

Tornados, Jaguars and Harriers have a fortnight to prepare to fly to the Gulf.

I love it when the British press uses words like "fortnight". :-) Help me out, Ivan... "Jaguar" is properly pronounced "JAG-u-ar", correct? Well, regardless:

Send her Victorious,
Happy and Glorious

Regards, C.M.

[Tony in Hawaii]

I like the British ship names also. HMS Indefatigable, Indomitable, and Unfrigginbelievable.

[Prince Caspian]

Unfrigginbelievable

ROFL!

[rmlew]

Take another look at the Tornado. It is a sleek swing-wing bomber. It is the long-range interdiction bomber for England, Italy, adn Germany.
The UK also has the F3,a fighter version.
These jets have ranges of 2000 miles and compare well with the F-111 of F-15E.

[RightWhale]

The Harriers will be able to launch strike missions from makeshift runways in Iraq.

There is a limitless supply of hype about strategies and tactics for the upcoming operations in and around Iraq. However, just as an American base was placed in Afghanistan in Kandahar as recommended--the strong point of the enemy-- bases will be built in Iraq. Once there are bases in Iraq, the question of using bases in friendly countries will be moot.