We're Bombing Iraq!!!
 

Straight from CNN.com

U.S.: Iraqi attack 'self-defense' strike

February 16, 2001
Web posted at: 3:06 p.m. EST (2006 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. military said a U.S.-led airstrike on Iraq Friday was "essentially a self-defense operation." The attack, in conjunction with British fighter aircraft, hit five targets south of Baghdad, the first strike of its kind in nearly two years.

The operation, Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold said at a Pentagon news conference, was prompted by an "increased threat to our aircraft and our crew. "It reached the point that it was obvious to our forces that they had to conduct the operation to safeguard those pilots and the aircraft. In fact (it was) essentially a self-defense measure," he said.

Newbold said the strike involved 24 aircraft that targeted five Iraqi targets that control radar that had increased their frequency and sophistication and threatened U.S. jets patrolling Iraqi air space.

All U.S. and British planes involved in the attack returned safely, Newbold said.

U.S. officials in Washington said the attack was launched at Iraqi air defense facilities because of an increasingly more sophisticated threat against allied planes patrolling the no-fly zone in southern Iraq, set up at the end of the Gulf War in 1991.

There was no immediate reaction about the attack from the Iraqi government, Correspondent Jane Arraf reported. A written statement was expected within a few hours she said.

U.S. President George W. Bush ordered the attack on Thursday, CNN Senior White House Correspondent John King reported.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the action was "a routine strike" to enforce the no-fly zone in Iraq and protect U.S. personnel.

Allied attacks hit Iraqi air defenses almost daily inside both the southern no-fly zone and its northern counterpart, but Friday's attack struck at targets north of the 33rd parallel, the boundary of the no-fly zone south of Baghdad.

Iraq does not recognize the no-fly zones imposed by the allies, and has been actively, but unsuccessfully, trying to shoot down allied planes since December 1998.

Pentagon officials said U.S. and British planes took part in the mission, which targeted several facilities of Iraq's integrated air defenses, including a pair of communications and command centers just outside Baghdad and radar facilities further south.

The aircraft, from land bases in Kuwait or Saudi Arabia and the aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman in the Persian Gulf, used so-called "stand-off" weapons that allowed the attack to originate from inside the no-fly zone.

Iraqis celebrating the end of the week in Baghdad were told at first that the air raid sirens were a test, but some 10 minutes later, anti-aircraft fire erupted to the south and west of the city and several large explosions were heard. Iraqi television changed from its regular programming to military music.

Television also aired an image of a wounded Iraqi soldier.

U.S. State Department officials met with members of the Iraqi opposition group, the Iraqi National Congress (INC), including INC leader Ahmad Chalabi, after the attack was carried out.

The INC has been promised money to help with its efforts in Iraq, including a plan to broadcast anti-Hussein radio messages inside Iraq's border and to collect intelligence on Hussein and his military.

But the funding has been delayed while State Department officials review the proposals.

Bush, visiting with Mexican President Vincente Fox at his ranch, was briefed on the attack by National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.

Next week U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will travel to the Middle East and Persian Gulf. He was the top allied commander during the Persian Gulf war, and part of the trip is tied to the 10th anniversary of the end of that conflict.

------------------
--Lariat4WD--

2000 Ford F-150 Extended Cab Flareside 4x4 Lariat
5.4L;auto;3.55LS;Black/Silver;ORP;remote keyless;floor-shift 4wd;Class III;AM/FM/SingleCD
Mods so far:
Lund X-Terminator bug shield; Vent Shade Vent Visors; Westin Black step bars; Pendaliner bedliner; GSP black Safari Grille Guard; GTS TailBlazerII Slotted taillight covers; Clear corner lenses; under hitch backup lights; 2 KC Hilites Daylighter 6" 150W black round; Cranked torsion bars; Removed lower striping; Replaced factory ORP decals w/ silver; 2 Polk Audio EX10 10" subs under rear seat; Sony XM754HX amp; Viper 300ESP alarm
Pending
Replacing factory gold/maroon Lariat decals & upper stripes with silver & black
Wish list:
More lights; Flowmaster 40 Series single to dual exhaust w/ 18" SS tips out back; Optima red top battery; Remote starter & Prox. sensor; In-dash TV/CD/DVD/AM/FM head unit; Build house w/ huge garage with a drain and a lift.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...838&p=40372834 http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...838&p=40372839
Please Visit My Web Site (Updated Daily) and Sign My Guest Book

Cool!!,,,I wish they'd do it right this time https://www.f150online.com/f150board/biggrin.gif,,,,98

waste of money and time

Waste of money. I didnt know that money was more important than freedom. Sorry just my .02

Not a waste of money. 24 planes dropping bombs is MUCH cheaper than another Gulf War. Saddam has been steadily rebuilding his military and upgrading his defense systems.

Freedom is not cheap or free..and never will be.




------------------
2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with super engine cooling/auxiliary transmission cooling HD package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, FORD bedliner, FORD black tubular cab steps, K&N air filter, mar-hyde rubberized undercoating, Modine climate filtration system, Bugflector II, Mobil 1 oil, build 7/2000

I hope they kill that Sadam of a b!tch!!!!

That !@##* name is so damn insane, not saddam hussein

reminds me of a good bumper sticker
"Nuke em til they glow!"


-Zac-

(amen to the freedom another .02 in the kitty)

------------------

• [*]
• [*]
• [*]

• [*]
• [*]
• [*]
• [*]
• [*]
• [*]
• [*]
• [*]

• [*]
• [*]
• [*]
• [*]
• [*]

It's about time the US did something. We need to rebuild our military, and the next time some foreign entity messes with us, hit them with all we've got. Teach them that they screw with the USA or it's citizens, they WILL FEEL OUR WRATH.

Simple as that.

Can you put a price on freedom? We have limited freedom... Everything is over-regulated as it is, surprising we still can have our trucks..

Despite the over-regulation, there's no other place I would want to live. -(added on edit)

-IKE

[This message has been edited by IKE (edited 02-17-2001).]

When did we stop?

------------------
97 F-150 4X4 XLT Reg. Cab,Long bed. Auburn rear diff. 4.6L

It's surprising that some people actually take our freedom for granted. If you think our country is so bad, go live in Cuba or China or Russia. Like they say, Love it or leave it. Millions of Americans gave their lives to give us the freedom that we have today. Yes, I realize that they're are many laws and regulations, but in the larger picture, USA IS THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TO LIVE IN!!!!!!! Ok, I'm done.

Glad to see we are showing Force again as far as our freedom goes enjoy it as you can live any where you want to in this country travel across state lines without having to go through check points like you would if you lived in other parts of the world.

------------------
2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

Freedom kicks ASH. Cartmans' .02 cents,lol,,,,98

Thanks hmustang and 98screamer, exactly my point.

The U.S.A. is the only place I would ever want to live. Although I would love to visit Australia for a little while https://www.f150online.com/f150board/wink.gif

Sorry for the long post, but the following email started me thinking, and basically mirrors my beliefs..

-IKE

LAND OF THE FREE ...???

I had a dream the other night I didn't understand.
A figure walking through the mist with a flintlock in his hand.
His clothes were torn and dirty, as he stood there by my bed.
He took off his three cornered hat and speaking low, he said:

We fought a revolution, to secure our liberty.
We wrote the Constitution, as a shield from tyranny.
For future generations, this legacy we gave,
In this, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

You buy permits to travel, and permits to own a gun.
Permits to start a business, or to build a place for one.
On land that you believe you own, you pay a yearly rent.
Although you have no voice in choosing, how the money's spent.

Your children must attend a school that doesn't educate.
Your Christian values can't be taught, according to the state.
You read about the current news in a regulated press.
You pay a tax you do not owe, to please the foreign I.R.S.

Your money is no longer made of silver, or of gold.
You trade your wealth for paper, so your lives can be controlled.
You pay for crimes that make our Nation turn from God in shame.
You've taken Satan's number, as you've traded in your name.

You've given government control, to those who do you harm,
So they can padlock churches, and steal the family farm.
And keep our country deep in debt, put men of God in jail.
Harass your fellow countrymen, while corrupted courts prevail.

Your public servants don't uphold the solemn oath they've sworn.
They defy and rape the nation, and leave it's fabric tattered and torn.
Your leaders ship artillery and guns to foreign shores.
And send your sons to slaughter, fighting other people's wars.

Can you regain the freedom for which we fought and died?
Or don't you have the courage, or the faith to stand with pride?
Are there no more values for which you'll fight to save?
Or do you wish your children to live in fear as a slave?

People of the Republic arise and take a stand!
Defend the Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land!
Preserve our Great Republic, and God Given Right!
And pray to God, to keep the torch of Freedom burning bright!

As I awoke he vanished, in the mist from whence he came.
His words were true, we are not Free, we have ourselves to blame.
For even now as tyrants trample each God Given Right,
We only watch and tremble, too afraid to stand and fight.

If he stood by your bedside, in a dream, while you're asleep,
And wonders what remains of our Rights he fought so hard to keep,
What would be your answer, if he called out from the grave;

IS THIS STILL THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE?

--Author Unknown