***Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - Day 9 - LIVE THREAD*** ^

Multiple | 28 March 2003 | Various

[An.American.Expatriate]

Good Morning.

This is the Daily Thread of Operation Iraqi Freedom - LIVE THREAD.

It is designed for general conversation about the events of the day. In depth discussion of events should be left to individual threads - but links to the threads or other articles is highly encouraged. This allows us to stay abreast of the situation in general, while also providing a means of obtaining specific information.

Please have mercy on us dial up limited FReepers! Limit the big graphics, post links instead. A breif description of what the graphic is would help:

Special thanks to null and void for keeping these running on the weekend, to all of you for keeping these threads alive, the AdminMods for their tolerance, mhking for the video links, and, of course, Belly Girl...

[Timeout]

Sorry, the report was over just as I posted it. The Royal engineers were ferrying heavy equipment across river in southern Iraq.

The report showed a vehicle I've never seen before. It had huge round drums...HUGH....on both sides and front. It stopped, and the drums we lowered hydraulicly so that they fanned out on three sides of the vehicle. In the lowered position the top of the drums was flat. The driver just walked out over a flat surface. Water or fuel transport?

[An.American.Expatriate]

So, lunch time . . .

back soon

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..I'm proud to call him a mate...

I'll bet you are. I know a bloke going over next week, with a young family, who won't be back until September. It's a real wrench for them all. At least he's on two weeks off, now.

[The Wizard]

Allowed to act like animals, men will never be more than animals, educated, men have no limit

[Sir_Ed]

" Three magazines taped together - two up, one down = tight little bundle of quick reloading joy for anyone on the other side of those iron sights. "

HK mags clip together, 'steada'needing to be taped.

Ed

[Byron_the_Aussie]

[The Wizard]

May I be allowed to say how impressed I am with our fighting men......they have done the job.

[Robert A Cook PE]

OUR colors.

But what are THEIR colors for chem/bio?

[Timeout]

Geraldo on Fox:

Interviewing a logistics commander. They've actually dug artesian wells up at the front for water supply at the front lines at the 101st! Damn! our guys are brilliant!

[The Wizard]

Geraldo attacks:

the big G just showed America and the world that our supply lines are just fine and we have HEROS there, too

[Timeout]

AND, for you A-10 fans out there:

Bob Franken reporting on CNN that A-10's are now flying out of a formerly-Iraqi airfield in country. Extends their range by 300 miles. I suspect it's the one outside Basra, but didn't catch the location (if he gave it). Not good news for the RG.

[hmmmmm]

*L* Try being the key word? Sweet dreams.

[HarryCaul]

That's a pretty big deal. In order to base our planes within Iraq, there have to be areas that really are secure, not just kinda-sorta secure.

[hmmmmm]

(with apologies to An.American.Expatriate) I've snuck in here during "dog duty" because of the view on the bagcam. Am I the only one who finds it disturbing watching all the smoke go by.

[Timeout]

He said they're not "basing" there...yet. I presume they're re-fueling there for the time being. More reconstruction needed, but they're planning to base there in the future. I hope we get to see some A-10 action on camera....they're awesome.

[Orlando]

We need to get the majority of the people of Baghdad OUT of the City, here's how. Declare Baghdad a Danger Zone from Saddam possible use of Bio/Chem/Gas weapons #1.Inform the public to leave the city using Rte highway 1 which leads to Syria. We already know Saddam family & other top SS officers have send there family out of baghdad to Syria with $$$. Time to get the people of Baghdad OUT of the city toward syria.

[DollyCali]

Morning.. whomever is still awake.. wow, i just read some posts .. we had Jerusalem, Austral & AM Pat in europe..I miss that group because I sleep.(a little)

Does anyone know what ttime the CenCom briefing is today?

I want to visit someone w/fox to see it.. ( I jsut have two local channels)

[The Wizard]

Bob Franken reporting on CNN that A-10's are now flying out of a formerly-Iraqi airfield in country. Extends their range by 300 miles.

This, A-10's flying out of Iraq, no refueling, back down close to battle.....

Big Time.....

let them take their time, attrit those tanks, and they will surrender

[An.American.Expatriate]

Uggggh the evile australian death spiral

[Timeout]

Would be good news if they leave, but it won't happen. They're the only thing standing between us and the evildoer.

Dick Morris has analysis this morning of the latest Fox News Dynamics poll.

the American public is willing - by 65 percent to 18 percent - to see coalition forces bomb targets in Baghdad and other cities even if the attacks incur civilian casualties, as long as it's necessary to avoid U.S. combat deaths...

Asked if they approved of bombing and shelling Iraqi soldiers using civilians as human shields even if it led to civilian deaths, respondents approved by 51 percent to 32 percent. When the 32 percent who disapproved were asked if they would back the bombing and shelling if it saved U.S. lives by eliminating the need for street fighting in the capital city, half agreed that they would support it.

Let's just pray this hypothesis doesn't have to be tested.

CENTCOM BRIEFING AT TOP OF THE HOUR!