[Robert A Cook PE]

I figure capturing the airport (intact or not) immediately prevents Saddamn from slipping OUT of his bunkers (remember the tunnels) and escaping by air out of country.

Leaving now is limited to helicopter (as if he could hide a chopper!) or truck/car/tank/APC. Each is lsower and can be found in the desert outside the city easier.

(Obviously, if he's dead, who cares, but still; it's best to cut off escape. Also, having the airport allows rescue and transport of wouded immediately, resupply of small/lightweight items; infiltration of Spec Ops/Delta/SWAT-type teams easier; and allows resupply/emergency landing of aircraft - even if they're not actually based at theairport out of fear of mortar/cannon fire.)

[ChewedGum]

I figure capturing the airport (intact or not) immediately prevents Saddamn from slipping OUT of his bunkers (remember the tunnels) and escaping by air out of country.

This makes sense except for two things. First, there are military airports to the northwest, southeast and in the middle of the city. Second, is it even possible for any non-coalition aircraft to be anywhere in Iraq without our knowing about it?

Gum