Article

2015-06-17 Iraq

US to deliver Iraqi F-16s by end of summer

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Posted by trailing wife 2015-06-17 00:00:00|| || Front Page|| [11123 views ] Top
File under: Govt of Iraq

#1 The DoD has to figure out which airbases are going to be overrun by ISIL at that time, so that the deliveries can be made to the 'right' places.

Posted by ed in texas 2015-06-17 07:16|| 2015-06-17 07:16|| Front Page Top

#2 The deliveries were delayed at the end of last year because of attacks on the receiving base (Balad).

Posted by Muggsy Crairong2940 2015-06-17 07:22|| 2015-06-17 07:22|| Front Page Top

#3 ...The good news is that even though the F-16 is a relatively 'simple' bird, ISIL will only be able to use them as high-tech paperweights.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2015-06-17 07:46|| 2015-06-17 07:46|| Front Page Top

#4 I'll worry when they start shipping A2As.

Posted by Skidmark 2015-06-17 08:25|| 2015-06-17 08:25|| Front Page Top

#5 So, Iran will be able to upgrade from F-14 tomcats to F-16s soon.

Posted by Procopius2k 2015-06-17 08:47|| 2015-06-17 08:47|| Front Page Top

#6 I see I'm not the only one that thinks these will be in the hands of our enemies by fall.

Posted by DarthVader 2015-06-17 09:41|| 2015-06-17 09:41|| Front Page Top

#7 well its worth it if we actually supply the Kurds too

Posted by lord garth 2015-06-17 14:04|| 2015-06-17 14:04|| Front Page Top

#8 Balad (Formerly LSA Anaconda, AKA "Mortaritaville") was close to being overrun by AqI and then ISIS. Best facilities in Iraq, but absolutely the worst location: lots of Saddam's finest and most loyal pilots and troops and their families were located there. These jets would be far better off in Erbil - the airport there has one of the longest runways on the planet, and plenty of room for quick concrete buildings to go up as aircraft shelters and an operational air wing if they want to rebuild the Saddam-era stuff nearby. The area is very civilianized, but the airport is well away from the city. And the Kurds have kep the area pacified quite well, with a good civil economy.

Makes too much sense, empowers the Kurds and nobody in the central government gets any boodle, so of course it will never happen. But that's where these jets should go if we want to see them operated, and not end up in Iran's airforce, or parted out by ISIS.

As for arming the Kurds? About time - but are they giving them artillery? That will tell if they are finally serious. Send over some 105's and 155s and a pile of ammo, and a few firefinders for counterbattery - then I know were taking it seriously.

Posted by OldSpook 2015-06-17 15:47|| 2015-06-17 15:47|| Front Page Top

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