Anti-Aircraft Missile Launcher Discovered at Saudi Base Used by U.S. Planes

TBO.com ^

[Sub-Driver]

Anti-Aircraft Missile Launcher Discovered at Saudi Base Used by U.S. Planes By Matt Kelley Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Security guards at a Saudi Arabian air base used by U.S. planes found an empty tube from a shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile this week, military officials said Friday.

Saudi security guards at Prince Sultan Air Base found the missile launcher about two miles from the nearest runway, said Rear Adm. Craig Quigley, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command. The spot was inside the base's outer perimeter fence and near an inner fence, Quigley said.

A cover on the front of the launch tube was intact, but there were scorch marks on the back of the tube, indicating it could have been used to fire or try to fire a missile, Quigley said. The 3-foot-long tube was for a Soviet-made SA-7 anti-aircraft missile.

The discovery has U.S. military officials puzzled and worried. No pilots reported seeing, hearing or detecting any missiles fired, and Quigley said he had no reports of any threats against the air base.

About 4,500 U.S. troops and an unspecified number of American warplanes use the base in the Saudi desert.

"Right now it's a mystery about what it all means, whether it was used or meant to be used," said Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Dave Lapan.

Someone firing an SA-7 from the spot where the tube was found could possibly have hit a plane taking off or landing at the air base, Quigley said.

"It's not an ideal spot to put yourself if you wanted to shoot down a plane. You could do better," Quigley said. "It's hard to know what to make of it."

Quigley said he did not know what day the Saudi forces found the missile tube. He said the Saudi forces photographed the tube and destroyed it.

[Sub-Driver]

says enough..........

[galt-jw]

sounds like it might be "booty time" for these lizard worshipping dirtbags.

[Robert_Paulson2]

The saudis "polite" request, that we leave because of our support for Israel's right to exist... not so subtle...

"We can turn you over to the dogs" is the message. Boy have WE got a message for them... soon, very soon.

[sleavelessinseattle]

Bump for your statement more than the article!

[csvset]

I'm sure the Saudi's will get one of their best princes right on it and get to the bottom of this.

[null and void]

Quigley said he did not know what day the Saudi forces found the missile tube. He said the Saudi forces photographed the tube and destroyed it the evidence...

[Mr. Lucky]

They are not lizard worshipping dirtbags. Lizards actually exist.

[null and void]

BTW, does anyone know how long you have to let fused sand cool down before you can land an airplane on it?
Just curious...

[galt-jw]

good one.

[Mr. Lucky]

From here to eternity?

[blam]

"BTW, does anyone know how long you have to let fused sand cool down before you can land an airplane on it? Just curious..."

Why land?

[dennisw]

Lizards? Is this DavidIcke territory? I say it is.

[null and void]

Staging for the bigger job, maybe?

[null and void]

Their eternity...

[Born to Conserve]

Well, the topology of the area around the dead sea would tend to contain the energy of the explosions, and in addition, the high concetrations of heavy metals in the soil would prolong the radioactive period. I would say it would be safe to occupy it within a year, so long as you do not spend a lot of time, and use a dust mask. It sure would solve a lot of problems!

[green team 1999]

The SA-7 GRAIL (Strela-2) man-portable, shoulder-fired, low-altitude SAM system is similar to the US Army REDEYE, with a high explsive warhead and passive infrared homing guidance. The HN-5 ( Hong Nu = Red Cherry ) is an improved Chinese version with upgraded capabilities. The SA-7 was the first generation of Soviet man portable surface-to-air missiles. Although classed as "fire and forget" types, the missiles were easily overcome by solar heat and, when used in hilly terrain, by heat from the ground.

[rmlew]

The SA-7 clearly is not up to US snuff. However, wouldn't it be effective for hitting jets as they land or take off? The planes are rather vulnerable as they are low, slow, and underpowered when landing.

[dts32041]

Depends on whether you use a nuetron bomb or not.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Hizbullah fires SA-7 missiles at Isaeli fighter jets

[null and void]

I was thinking along the lines of a high air burst of a thermonuke, minimal fallout, enough heat at ground level to melt sand, not soaking everything in nasty neutrons...