[A-List] US imperialism: Iraq

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

US ready to strike by the end of December
IAN BRUCE
The Herald, 11 November 2002

THE US will have enough combat power in the Middle East to launch a "rolling
start" campaign against Iraq involving special forces and stealth bombers by
the end of December, according to Pentagon sources.

Although not all of 150,000 to 200,000 men and heavy weapons envisaged for a
land offensive and subsequent occupation of the country would be in place by
then, the US military is poised to take advantage of circumstances if Saddam
Hussein tries to thwart UN arms inspectors.

Up to 15,000 British troops are expected to be put on "notice to move"
orders later this week or early next week to allow time to implement a £90m
"desertisation" plan to fit 200 Challenger 2 tanks and Warrior fighting
vehicles with sand filters to protect their vulnerable engines.

The initial warning orders are to go to the 4th and 7th armoured brigades in
the German-based 1st UK armoured division. Units on stand-by for a move to
Kuwait by January include the Black Watch, a mechanised infantry battalion,
and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, a tank regiment which fought in the 1991
Gulf war.

Two squadrons of the SAS - about 150 troopers who represent half of the
regiment's "sabre" strength - are already on standby.

The potential timetable for war is tied closely to the UN security council's
schedule. Inspectors due in Iraq in the next two weeks will give a
definitive report on Baghdad's compliance with international instructions by
February 21.

Pentagon planners say the long "bomber's moon" nights and relatively mild
desert weather at that time of year would still favour an attacking force
even if its ground formations had to fight in heavy chemical warfare
protective gear.

The extra time likely to be available will also ease the strain of shipping
vast amounts of logistical supplies to the region in preparation for an
assault and calling up 200,000 US national guard units to take over homeland
security duties from the regular forces.

Britain is likely to implement a more modest recall plan involving regular
reservists in the key shortage areas of medical services, communications and
intelligence.

The anticipated roles of the UK's 16 air assault brigade, a heliborne strike
force, and of the Royal Marines' 3 Commando brigade may be scrapped because
of Treasury objections to the cost of warfighting operations.

The plan accepted by the White House calls for a simultaneous blitzkrieg by
B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit stealth bombers dropping precision-guided one-ton
bombs on key targets while swarms of special forces troopers move into
northern, western and southern Iraq.

The ability to strike accurately reduces the number of bombs needed, the
number of aircraft to deliver them, and the number of pilots in harm's way.

Early strikes, maintained at a tempo calculated to shock Iraqi commanders,
will concentrate on smashing air defences, isolating Baghdad, and
obliterating Saddam's Republican Guard divisions, his most loyal troops.

Special forces backed by mobile US Ranger battalions would aim to secure
potential Scud missile launch sites in western Iraq to prevent attacks on
Israel and to counter any moves by Saddam to flood the southern marshes or
torch major oilfields.

They would also seize airfields around Basra, Iraq's southern port city, and
the two major Iraqi military airbases in the western desert near the border
with Jordan to provide internal runways for allied jets, transport aircraft
and helicopters.

This is seen as vital to avoid dependence on bases in Saudi Arabia and
neighbouring states. It would also speed up distribution of humanitarian aid
to Iraqi civilians.

The Pentagon's chief objectives are to isolate Saddam's inner-circle
leadership and prevent the use of weapons of mass destruction. Planners also
want to avoid a costly street-by-street slogging match through Baghdad.

A Pentagon source said yesterday: "Essentially, we are looking at a
fully-balanced offensive force in position and waiting for the green light
by late January. We could start the ball rolling in December if it became
necessary. The plan is that flexible."