A Gathering Storm, By The Numbers

GlobalSecurity.org ^ | February 10, 2003 | By Ron Laurenzo

[razorback-bert]

The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll

[ScholarWarrior]

Plus 50,000 Brits, 15,000 Aussies, and 85,000 Turks.
Rockem sockem Robots.

[Charles Martel]

* 40,000 sailors and Navy aviators are either on standby or are already moving toward the region in task forces that include 310 aircraft, 62 Naval vessels, 41 cargo vessles and 1,000 cruise missiles.

When I returned from lunch today, I glanced out my office window towards the Mississippi River. Something looked different, somehow. It took me a moment to realize that the Fast Sealift ships which have been moored downriver of New Orleans for *years* had departed. Last I recall seeing them was last Friday, so by now the cargo has probably been loaded and full crew has reported in. Godspeed to 'em all.

[jocko12]

READY TO GO BY SPRING MY A$$,48 HOURS!!!!

[RugerM77]

Have any deployments of US forces in Germany been reported?
1st Armored and 1st Infantry Divisions-According to GlobalSecurity they are alerted.

[demlosers]

Yes, V Corps troops head to the Persian Gulf

[SauronOfMordor]

Over the weekend, DoD announced CIVIL RESERVE AIR FLEET STAGE I ACTIVATION . They've requistioned 47 passenger airliners. Figuring 400 troops/flight, and a conservative one round trip/day, they can put 19,000 troops/day overseas. And I don't think W is going to stick them in the desert in range of Sadaam's scuds until we're just about ready to go

[harpseal]

Soon three weeks at the most two weeks possibly or before.

[Travis McGee]

It will be in a month starting with "F".

[The Great Satan]

Divisions, squadrons and carrier battle groups-and the people who serve in them-keep flowing toward the Persian Gulf, steadily building up a formidable force that many observers believe will invade Iraq before spring.

Wow, that sounds really imminent. Not!

[freepersup]

Right... about... NOW ! (as moon enters new moon phase)

[freepersup]

FWIW- March, 2003 moon phases.

[freepersup]

Actually I was thinking that we would go in, 7-10 days past haji's completion (pretty light out still)

[new cruelty]

awesome gif!

[new cruelty]

Godspeed to 'em all.

Yes, I wish them well too.

... just a subtle reminder...shhh.

[Sir Beowolf]

Ah yes! The Perfect Storm

[tessalu]

I am beginning to think that it is time to get ready to roll, and to prepare for trouble any way that it comes.
When we strike we should strike hard. We have been struck hard, and it should have awakened us to the dangers that like ahead. We will be fighting savages.

[freepersup]

Thanks- just stumbled onto it goofin surfin-

Director George Tenet, testifying to Congress in Washington, said intelligence information pointed to plots timed to coincide with the end of the Muslim religious festival of Eid, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday.

feast WED-SAT- Feb 12th through Feb 15th-

add 7-10 days- (22nd through the 25th)

still too much moon light-

I'd say WAR ON for the last of Feb- the 28th, through the 5th of March, (window of: total lunar darkness / absence)

Gives us a solid two weeks of continual build up, followed by possibly, a very short diplomatic manuvering period, followed by an intense bombing campaign.

The bombing campaign may follow right on the hells of the next two weeks of final preparations. Fire from the sky- WAR ON Feb 26th & 27th. Overt ground operations commence Feb 28th.

[Republic If You Can Keep It]

The bombing campaign may follow right on the hells of the next two weeks

Freudian slip?