US Forces on Alert for Possible Movement Near Korea

Reuters via Yahoo! ^ | Monday, February 3, 2003 | Reuters

[Momaw Nadon]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some U.S. bombers, fighter jets and warships have been alerted for possible deployment to the western Pacific to deter any aggression by North Korea in case of a war in Iraq, U.S. defense officials said on Monday.

The officials told Reuters that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had not issued any final orders to move B-52 bombers, F-16 fighter jets or naval units closer to the tense Korean peninsula, now gripped in a nuclear crisis.

The additional forces have been requested by Adm. Thomas Fargo, based in Hawaii as head of U.S. forces in the Pacific and Asia rim.

"If such forces are moved, it would be done as a precautionary deterrent presence against any North Korean aggression in the event of a war in Iraq," said one of the officials, who asked not to be identified.

Officials stressed the possible deployment did not include any ground forces to join the 37,000 American troops stationed in South Korea.

Officials said that additional F-16 fighter jets could be moved from the United States to bases in Japan and that heavy B-52 or B-1B bombers could be moved to within emergency striking distance of North Korea -- perhaps to Guam.

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, currently in Hawaii, might also be deployed toward the troubled Korean peninsula if the carrier USS Kitty Hawk is ordered to leave the western Pacific and head for the gulf in the event President Bush (news - web sites) decides to launch an invasion of Iraq, officials said.

The defense officials spoke as North Korea said on Monday its troops were at the ready in case of any U.S. "military and political moves" against it as tensions rose over the nuclear crisis on the peninsula.

The U.N. watchdog that oversaw a freeze in the communist state's nuclear program until it was thrown out in December also said it would hold an emergency session on Feb. 12 and was likely to ask the U.N. Security Council to take up the issue.

[Red Dog #1]

All you have to know about the North Koreans is they have only one thing going for them. EVERYONE thinks they're dangerous madmen. That's why they keep staging raids and creating crisis.

[Red Dog #1]

All you have to know about the North Koreans is they have only one thing going for them. EVERYONE thinks they're dangerous madmen. That's why they keep staging raids and creating crisis.

[Jorge]

Careful with that headline.
It sounded like NK was doing the moving.

That's exactly what I thought when I first read it.
Very poorly written.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

b u m p

[SauronOfMordor]

I don't think we'll do anything until the Muzzies have finished running around the black rock.

We'll be in Iraq, not in Mecca. The Muzzies and their rock wont be disturbed unless Sadaam decides to do something against Saudi

[Stefan Stackhouse]

I think the Run Around the Rock goes on for a few weeks longer

LOL -- as soon as I saw your post, I thought of this phrase set to the tune of the oldie hit "Rock around the Clock"

[b4its2late]

To me, the headline indicates we are about ready to crap on North Korea....

[AF68]

"March 3rd seems like the most likely date, if the War is going to start under the cover of a new moon."

Iraq accepted a cease-fire in the Persian Gulf War on March 3, 1991. They signed it but never accepted the terms. It would be ironic if the war restarts on March 3, 2003.

[dark_lord]

War in Iraq within a week.....two on the outside.

Moon phases: my bet is March 1st.

[zarf]

Hey, it's Kenny Loggins!!

[zarf]

Mr. Penis had it easy because he was busy avoiding confronting anything that would cut down on his intern time.

[Jumper]

The inspectors are very well paid, and it is of dubious distinction for which party in this conflict they work. Personally, I believe that their greed has overpowered their sense of judgment, whether on identifying WMD or on the greed factor.

It does not matter, these inspectors know the risks involved, and the Iraqi government (those left behind after Sadam is gone) has some obligation to safely evacuate them.

[cajungirl]

Your wife was listening to NPR?,,oh my dear, my condolences. This is what they say about the marriage thing, don't ever expect a spouse to be perfect,,but NPR,,you are a saint to put up with that.

[bulldogs]

Good one