Just by what Drudge reported, I was under the impression that our forces arrived in Iraq, but did not arrive to secure the facility until April 10, 2003, over a month after fighting. They were not yet able to secure the facility due to the fact that they had to work their way to the area (this is what Drudge appears to be saying) and upon their arrival, the troops did not note the existence of the weapons that are missing. This would mean that they disappeared sometime during the initial stages of the invasion or before the fighting began when the U.N. was responsible for the security of the facility.
Did anyone else have the same analysis of the story?
I had similar thoughts in post 211. These weapons were either removed to Syria and possibly Iran or were dispersed throughout the region sometime between the time the UN got out and we got in.
The fighting had not yet ended completely at this time. Drudge reads the story as saying the weapons were gone when the 101 got there. Miklasewki's actual report is not at all clear on that. I think, barring more info, the Dems can still claim that the 101 because it still had fighting to do could not secure the base, and the base was then looted. This would allow Dems to attack the planning for Iraq war as being insufficient in troop strength to secure the country. The results of which have led to deadly attacks on US troops by weapons produced from the unprotected explosives. I just think it's possible we're celebrating much too soon. We need to know what the 101 did at alQaqaa. What was it tasked to find? What did it find and how long did it secure the facility?
| Wednesday, March 19 (Washington) | In an address to the nation from the Oval Office, President Bush announces orders have been given to begin Operation of Iraqi Freedom, and acknowledges the launch of missile attacks against "selected targets of military significance" in Iraq. |
| Monday, March 24 | The 3rd Infantry Division, along with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, move within 50 miles of Baghdad and engage Republican Guard divisions, including the Medina Division. AH-64 Apache helicopters of the Army's 11th Aviation Regiment knock out four or five armored Iraqi vehicles outside Baghdad. Air Force B-52 bombers also hit Republican Guard positions and vehicles south of Baghdad. |
| Monday, March 31 | After waiting several days 50 miles from the Iraqi capitol city, the Army's 3rd Infantry Division and Marine 1st Expeditionary Division finish dismantling of two Republican Guard divisions to the north. The Iraqi divisions were battered by U.S. air strikes and artillery barrages over several days. U.S. soldiers fight Iraqi paramilitary soldiers outside Najaf, 90 miles south of Baghdad. One soldier from the 101st Airborne Division is killed. |
| Wednesday, April 2 | From the southwest, the 3rd Infantry Division passes Karbala and moves north with M1 Abrams tanks and M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles toward Baghdad. The Marine 1st Expeditionary Force moves north beyond Kut and heads in the direction of Baghdad also. Both face minimal resistance, destroying what remains of the Iraq's Republican Guard Medina Division and Baghdad Division. Many Iraqi soldiers retreat back toward Baghdad, surrender to U.S. troops or desert. Outside Karbala an Army UH-60 Black Hawk was lost. Six soldiers are killed, and a Navy airman is missing. |
| Wednesday, April 9 | With U.S. military forces controlling most of Baghdad and few signs that Saddam Hussein's Baath government still functions, thousands of Iraqis celebrate their liberation. A tall metal statue of Hussein is pulled off its cement foundation by Iraqis with the help of U.S. Marines. |
| Thursday, April 10 | Iraqi forces leave the northern city of Kirkuk after bombings from U.S. warplanes. Kurdish opposition forces move into the city, along with some U.S. Special Forces troops. Iraqi soldiers also are said to be surrendering to U.S. and Kurdish ground forces in Mosul. Looting and civil disorder is occurring cities across the country, including Baghdad, Basra and Kirkut. |
As you can see, the earliest we would have been 25 miles south of Bagdad would be March 31 or April 1. Fighting continued to Bagdad until April 9.
What's the chance of a small band of looters making off with 40 semi-truck trailers full of explosives with the troops all around between April 1 and April 10? Nil.