イラク侵攻は有り得るのか？
100 jets join attack on Iraq
By Michael Smith, Defence Correspondent
(Filed: 06/09/2002)
About 100 American and British aircraft took part in
an attack on Iraq's major western air defence installation yesterday in the biggest single
operation over the country for four years.
The raid appeared to be a prelude to the type of special forces operations that would have to
begin weeks before a possible American-led war. It was launched two days before a war summit
between President George W Bush and Tony Blair in America.
The Prime Minister promised that Britain would be alongside the Americans "when the shooting
starts".
The raid seemed designed to destroy air defences to allow easy access for special forces
helicopters to fly into Iraq via Jordan or Saudi Arabia to hunt down Scud missiles before a
possible war within the next few months.
Although only 12 aircraft dropped precision-guided bombs on to the H3 airfield, 240 miles west
of Baghdad and close to Jordan, many support aircraft took part.
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The strikes were carried out by nine American F15 Strike Eagles and three RAF Tornado GR4
ground attack aircraft flying from Kuwait.
At least seven types of aircraft took part. Fighter cover was provided by US F-16 Fighting
Falcons and RAF Tornado F3s from Saudi Arabia. RAF VC10 tanker aircraft flying from Bahrain
were among the support aircraft.
These also included EA6b Prowlers, which send out signals to confuse enemy radar, and E3a
Awacs aircraft that co-ordinate operations and carry out reconnaissance of any response.
RAF Tornados also took part in the reconnaissance. American central command refused to go
into detail about the number of aircraft involved in the raid.
It said: "Coalition strikes in the no-fly zones are executed as a self-defence measure in
response to Iraqi hostile threats and acts against coalition forces and their aircraft."
The Pentagon said that the raid was launched in "response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against
coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone".
Iraq had made 130 attempts to shoot down coalition aircraft this year.
The Ministry of Defence in London refused to confirm that RAF aircraft had taken part, but
defence sources said that Tornado ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft played a key role.
The attack on what the American central command described as an "air defence command and
control facility" was the first time that a target in western Iraq had been attacked during the
patrols of the southern no-fly zone.
ground attack aircraft flying from Kuwait.
At least seven types of aircraft took part. Fighter cover was provided by US F-16 Fighting
Falcons and RAF Tornado F3s from Saudi Arabia. RAF VC10 tanker aircraft flying from Bahrain
were among the support aircraft.
These also included EA6b Prowlers, which send out signals to confuse enemy radar, and E3a
Awacs aircraft that co-ordinate operations and carry out reconnaissance of any response.
RAF Tornados also took part in the reconnaissance. American central command refused to go
into detail about the number of aircraft involved in the raid.
It said: "Coalition strikes in the no-fly zones are executed as a self-defence measure in
response to Iraqi hostile threats and acts against coalition forces and their aircraft."
The Pentagon said that the raid was launched in "response to recent Iraqi hostile acts against
coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone".
Iraq had made 130 attempts to shoot down coalition aircraft this year.
The Ministry of Defence in London refused to confirm that RAF aircraft had taken part, but
defence sources said that Tornado ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft played a key role.
The attack on what the American central command described as an "air defence command and
control facility" was the first time that a target in western Iraq had been attacked during the
patrols of the southern no-fly zone.
Until yesterday, all strikes had been against air defence sites in the south, around Basra,
Amara, Nassairya and Baghdad.
Central command said it was still assessing the damage caused by the attack. If the air
defence installation was not destroyed, a second raid is expected.
As well as blinding Iraqi radar to any special forces helicopters, the loss of the H3 installation
would allow allied aircraft mounting major raids on Iraq a trouble-free route into the country.
In a further sign that America was preparing for war, a Pentagon official confirmed that heavy
armour, ammunition and other equipment had been moved to Kuwait from huge stores in Qatar.
Thomas White, the army secretary, said: "We have done a lot with pre-positioned stocks in the
Gulf, making sure that they are in the right spot to support whatever the president wants to do."
Any war on Iraq is likely to begin with a gradual intensification of attacks on air defences. But
yesterday's raid appears more likely to be related to the special forces Scud hunts.
It was the SAS which specialised in the attempts to hunt down the Scuds during the Gulf war.
Although the raids were largely unsuccessful, they spawned a series of rival books by former
members of the regiment.
Amara, Nassairya and Baghdad.
Central command said it was still assessing the damage caused by the attack. If the air
defence installation was not destroyed, a second raid is expected.
As well as blinding Iraqi radar to any special forces helicopters, the loss of the H3 installation
would allow allied aircraft mounting major raids on Iraq a trouble-free route into the country.
In a further sign that America was preparing for war, a Pentagon official confirmed that heavy
armour, ammunition and other equipment had been moved to Kuwait from huge stores in Qatar.
Thomas White, the army secretary, said: "We have done a lot with pre-positioned stocks in the
Gulf, making sure that they are in the right spot to support whatever the president wants to do."
Any war on Iraq is likely to begin with a gradual intensification of attacks on air defences. But
yesterday's raid appears more likely to be related to the special forces Scud hunts.
It was the SAS which specialised in the attempts to hunt down the Scuds during the Gulf war.
Although the raids were largely unsuccessful, they spawned a series of rival books by former
members of the regiment.
Mr Bush, speaking in Louisville, Kentucky, said that, besides having talks with Mr Blair, he would
be meeting the leaders of France, Russia, China and Canada over the next few days. He would
tell them that "history has called us into action" to oust Saddam Hussein, the president of Iraq.
He said he was looking forward to the talks, but suggested that the US could do the job on its
own if need be.
"I am a patient man," he said. "I've got tools; we've got tools at our disposal. We cannot let the
world's worst leaders blackmail, threaten, hold freedom- loving nations hostage with the world's
worst weapons."
be meeting the leaders of France, Russia, China and Canada over the next few days. He would
tell them that "history has called us into action" to oust Saddam Hussein, the president of Iraq.
He said he was looking forward to the talks, but suggested that the US could do the job on its
own if need be.
"I am a patient man," he said. "I've got tools; we've got tools at our disposal. We cannot let the
world's worst leaders blackmail, threaten, hold freedom- loving nations hostage with the world's
worst weapons."
http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2002/09/06/wirq06big.jpeg
おまけ。
それにしてもホントに目的はスカッド狩りの特殊部隊投入の下準備だったんですかねぇ？
おまけ。
それにしてもホントに目的はスカッド狩りの特殊部隊投入の下準備だったんですかねぇ？