[TADSLOS]

You have no idea what these dogs can do in a short time, if (when) politicians let them.

Yes, I do know. I also know that the odds of not only locating Saddam within 3 hours of the beginning of hostilities, but tracking his movements, moving in for the kill in the midst of U.S. attacks and meeting mission success, are low - even for Delta and the CIA. Not impossible, but improbable. I'm sure his suspected hiding places will be sealed by SOFs, keeping him trapped, but I believe it will take more than 3 hours to smoke him out. If it were that easy we would have had Noriega within hours of invading Panama and Bin Laden would be eating fruit loops in GITMO by now.

[fiftymegaton]

On a related topic it took CIA and Colombian authorities(which might have been the reason for the long time period) some 2 years to find Pablo Escobar and he was still hiding in Colombia.

[MonroeDNA]

Yes, you do know, and no doubt you would be one of the ones there, if they gave you the chance again. Rangers rule!

But you also know that in all ops up to about 6 months ago, your hands were tied. Rules of engagement, getting permision up the chain, watching the bad guys escape while wating for permission to fire.

Those days are over.

[ShasheMac]

If this is true, I wonder if it might be the other way around, that the go ahead for the hostilities might be contingent on special forces first determining Saddam's location so that he can be removed withon the first three hours.