UAV base in western Iraq

Sky News website ^ | 03.24.03 | Sky News

[Herodotus]

SECRET DESERT AIRSTRIP

US army engineers have built a secret new airstrip in central Iraq to carry out aerial spying missions.

The half-mile strip was fashioned from a patch of bumpy desert and scrub using giant earthmoving equipment and heavy rollers.

At an unknown location, it will allow unmanned spy planes to patrol the skies around Baghdad and gather information for an assault.

The remote-controlled UAVs will provide US military commanders with essential details on Iraqi force sizes, capabilities and movements.

They are particularly keen to learn more about the Medina division of the Republican Guard.

With around 120 tanks and up to 20,000 men in three brigades, the Medina is a substantial force, according to US military intelligence.

It is currently believed to be holding positions about 50m directly south of Baghdad.

US military intelligence officers have repeatedly visited the site in the past 24 hours to check on developments.

Test flights are expected shortly.

[Herodotus]

Hmmm....this suggests that the ground around the supposed airbase is also free of Iraqi interference, which says a lot about the successes we've had in the western desert!

[finnman69]

It was reported on the news that a predator took out a AAA site today.

[Servant of the Nine]

When we have captured 3 huge Iraqi airfields in the western Desert, why would we expend the effort to build a dirt strip air base?

This sounds like disinformation to keep th Iraqis confused.

OK, OK, More confused

So9

[Herodotus]

Quite possibly. Or the range of the Predator is so limited that by making the base as close as possible to the Iraqi forces you maximize on-target time.

[Carry_Okie]

When we have captured 3 huge Iraqi airfields in the western Desert, why would we expend the effort to build a dirt strip air base?

It may have to do with the range of the drones and maximizing their time over the target zone.

[CatOwner]

"US army engineers have built a secret new airstrip in central Iraq to carry out aerial spying missions."

I guess it is not a secret anymore.

[smith288]

I guess it is not a secret anymore.

Or is it???? BWUHAHAHAHAHA.... (maniacal laughter)

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[CatOwner]

LOL! Thanks, I needed a good laugh this morning!

[KriegerGeist]

"It was reported on the news that a predator took out a AAA site today."

So, we are using the "armed" ones as well as the "Kodak Moments" ones?

In my uneducated (in this area) opinion, if we are going to fight this war "politically correct", we need to turn out these UAVs of every type, size and propulsion...especially the armed ones. It would be nice to have those hovering bombs that cruise around taking pictures of tarkets until we find a juicy one and then...lights out!

Those "un-manned" track vehicles would be cool also the go ahead of any troops into un-scouted hostile areas. Arm them too.

[SauronOfMordor]

I think we're about to see a new development in land warfare.

Tanks have been the dominent land-warfare platform up to this point, just like battleships were the dominent sea-platform up until WW-II. This may be about to change. Tanks take a lot of transport capability and fuel to get where they're needed. Swarms of Predators are easier to transport, will result in fewer human casualties, and have fewer logistical demands. I have a feeling that as their controllers get within range of Baghdad, the Iraqis may start seeing some surprises

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

Or the range of the Predator is so limited that by making the base as close as possible to the Iraqi forces you maximize on-target time.

The Predator and other, smaller UAVs do have limited range, while the Global Hawk, with a 1,200 mile range to target, 65,000 foot ceiling and 24 hour loiter would be a longer range option. They've probably deployed a veritable plethora of UAVs for their specific, unique capabilities.

[MindBender26]

I think you may have hit on a huge point. So far, this "war like no other" has been like many others.

Baghdad.... Rotterdam, Amsterdam
US tank forces attacks..... German tank forces attacks

Multiple Predators, with Hellfires could make it a very bad week for concentrated Iraqi armor. One division at a time. No warning. Just, all of a sudden, the tank/truck/apc/person next to you explodes.

[MindBender26]

Especially since, if you lose a tank, you lose 4 soldiers. Lose a Predator and you lose 40,000,000 transistors.

[John D]

I heard about a week or so several combat engineers from the 82nd airborne were sent somewhere secretly to do some work on an air strip somewhere in Iraq. Any idea if this is that air strip? I am concerned because that was about the last time I or any of my son's friends have heard from him. The last time we heard anything from him he was in Kuwait. He was going someplace but he could not say where.
Any knowledge will be appreciated.
Thanks,
John

[FBD]

"With around (soon to be decimated) 120 0 tanks and up to 20,000 (captured,or killed,) in three brigades, the Medina is an substantial force inconsequential, according to US military intelligence."

There, I corrected the article.

FREEgards

[George W. Bush]

A fleet of these things could raise some real hell with Iraqi commanders. Picture a few dozen of them, circling like vultures, waiting to assassinate enemy commanders. Just like how we took out that Al-Qaeda terrorist with an armed Predator about a month ago.

Can the Predator carry anything big enough to kill a T-72 or other big Russian tanks?

[IMRight]

Can the Predator carry anything big enough to kill a T-72 or other big Russian tanks?

That's precisely what the AGM-114 "Hellfire" missle was designed for (not the 72's specifically, but tanks in general). It was designed to take out any tank currently operating in the world.

[SauronOfMordor]

Multiple Predators, with Hellfires could make it a very bad week for concentrated Iraqi armor. One division at a time. No warning. Just, all of a sudden, the tank/truck/apc/person next to you explodes.

Exactly. Just like aircraft carriers revolutionized naval warfare in WW-2 with the ability to project power over the horizon, well away from the fleet and out of range of enemy surface ships, "Predator controllers" (moderately armored command vehicles controlling multiple predators from well beyond range of enemy tanks and artillery) will revolutionize land warfare

Also, keep in mind that predators have a narrow wingspan, which means thay can do low-level flying between buildings on city streets, which opens up whole new tactical possibilities

[MindBender26]

Exactly. They are small, quiet, have a low IR signature. Sort of like flying, active anti-armor landmines!