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| Iraq | ||
| US sends second wave of troops | ||
| 2003-03-05 | ||
| And a third, then a fourth ... Military officials said yesterday they had ordered 60,000 US troops to the Gulf and expected to send between 20,000 and 30,000 in the next few days as part of a second wave of the planned invasion force. The new deployments, including tank divisions from Germany and Fort Hood, Texas, push the number of US troops heading to the region to about 300,000. Britain is also expected to send 6,000 troops in the next few days, to supplement the 20,000 already in position in Kuwait. Kuwait's going to look like a Thanksgiving turkey — stuffed. The final destination of the American soldiers was not certain because of Turkey's refusal to allow Washington to deploy ground troops there. Pentagon officials said the initial plan was to send the troops and equipment to Turkey, but that they might have to be diverted to Kuwait, where more than half of the American build-up is already stationed.
Just in case. Keeps them out of the way of any WMD attack while we get the first wave in. Others waiting a call-up were 12,500 members of the 4th Infantry Division from Fort Hood, who had expected to go to Turkey. Their final destination has yet to be determined. The United States already has five aircraft carriers in the Gulf and Mediterranean within striking distance of Iraq with a sixth on the way. Britain also has an aircraft carrier there. The first American B-52 bombers arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Monday. Other B-52s and B-1 bombers are already in the Gulf area and radar-evading B-2 "stealth" bombers have been told to go to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, which is within striking range of Baghdad. Tick, tick, tick. | ||
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #5 The German Foreign Ministry warns against travels to Iraq. Note: That warning has been issued on March 3 only. Before only caution was advised. Hmmmm could it be that it is really dangerous to travel to Iraq these days? What has happened??? |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2003-03-05 13:10:35 |
| #4 Good luck, good hunting, and come home safe. |
| Posted by: Mike 2003-03-05 10:12:23 |
| #3 Tommy Franks official war plan: Day 1: Send in the bombers. Include white towels as part of bomb load. Day 2: Send in Marines. All marines must have shovel. Day 3: Initiate towel for shovel exchange. Sorry, you will have to dig your own latrine. Day 4: Bring in Sheryl and Chrissy to entertain POWs. Project WOODSTOQ 03. Day 5: Send in 500 Saddam look-alikes into Bagdad. Invite the 501 Saddam look-alikes to star in new FOX reality show "I Married Saddam" Day 6: Have Al Gore announces he will not run in Iraqi Presidential Election. so I'm not Scrappleface. Sorry |
| Posted by: john 2003-03-05 09:53:56 |
| #2 One wonders if we're bulking up in anticipation of losing the British troops if we don't get UN disapproval, and Blair falls from a revolt within his own party. He's doing his damndest to do the right thing, and I have come to admire him for it. The comparisons between him and the incredible PR creature who was the previous occupant of the White House were unfair to him and, to my shame, biased me against him. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-03-05 09:29:43 |
| #1 The 4th infantry might end up facing Turkey. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-03-05 01:01:03 |