Base Commander Predicts 'Horrifying' War (update from the front...)

WOAI.com ^ | 3/14/03 | TARA COPP

[Libloather]

Base Commander Predicts 'Horrifying' War
LAST UPDATE: 3/14/2003 3:25:37 PM
By TARA COPP - Scripps Howard News Service

332ND AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING, Persian Gulf -- Saying war with Iraq has become unstoppable and imminent, the commander of a sprawling base in the Persian Gulf gave a somber prewar speech to his assembled troops Friday, predicting a "horrifying experience" likely to include chemical or biological attack.

"In my opinion, this is the last time I'll do this before this thing kicks off," Col. Tom Jones said of his speech, a monthly base-wide "Commander's Call."

"Three weeks ago, I would have told you there was a 50-50 chance the international community could convince Saddam (to disarm). Now, I don't think anything could happen to stop it," Jones said. "My guess is, it's soon. I think it's going to happen, I think it's going to be a horrifying experience and a lot of people are going to get hurt. I am not eager to go to war, but I am eager to get this over with and get to go home."

One of the biggest fears for the base is a biological or chemical attack, Jones somberly reminded the troops.

"I think he's got them, I think he's going to use them. Is he going to use them on us here? I don't know. But we are one of a lot of lucrative targets for him."

Warning of a possible missile strike, Jones appeared to bolster news reports that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was moving his troops and missiles within range of Israel and closer to Kuwait and that pre-emptive strikes by Iraq were anticipated.

"It's a very short flight from Iraq to here," Jones said. "If it happens, we'll sound the alarm and dive into the bunkers. And when we come out, we'll smite this guy with a fury he has never seen before."

For security, the Air Force won't allow disclosure of the base name or location, but, as Jones told the troops Friday evening, it is one of the largest airpower bases in the region, with several thousand Air Force, Navy, Marines and Army personnel.

It is now at full capacity with a large contingent of F-15s, F-18s, British Harriers, F-16s, A-10 Warthogs, C-130s and Patriot missile batteries. The fighters are running 24-hour Operation Southern Watch missions over Iraq, and are now shot at by Iraqi forces during almost every mission, Jones said.

"I'm sure most of you are nervous," he said. "It's like a big test that you've been studying for, but you don't know what questions they'll ask. You think you're ready for it but you just don't know.

"You're ready. You will do fine, because you are aware of the consequences of failure. 9/11 is a consequence of failure. If we fail, we lose the freedoms our country has learned to live by and love.

"You are superbly trained for what you are about to face. You are ready for this. Fight like you're trained, follow procedures and you'll get through this fine."

[Libloather]

9/11 is a consequence of failure.

I personally blame the *Crintons...

[Dog]

God bless and protect every one of them..

[MEG33]

May God keep them in the coming battle and may cool heads prevent the use of chemical weapons.

[clintonh8r]

...and may they kill the enemy with terrifying savagery.

Franky, I hope Desert Storm's "Highway of Death" looks like a DisneyWorld ride compared to what we give them this time.

[TADSLOS]

"You are superbly trained for what you are about to face. You are ready for this. Fight like you're trained, follow procedures and you'll get through this fine."

"Now, Send 'em to hell! That is all!

[Inspectorette]

Amen - we are praying for our brave military men and women every day.

[DoughtyOne]

My guess is Hussein get's very few shots off. From that point on his a-- is ours.

If we take a number of casualties and the French open their yaps, Bush can feel free to call me up. I may not be a spring chicken, but I can hit a chicken at several hundred yards.

[DoctorMichael]

Crunch Time.

Pray.

[DoughtyOne]

I'll be frank with you, most of Hussein's crack troops are simply looking for a way to get across any border the fastest, without arms. Any that don't approach according to hoyle are fair game. Those manning missile launchers etc, hell better help em, cause heaven isn't going to.

[MEG33]

If they show it on TV the Wails will start and undermine our troops. Trust me.

[Myrddin]

My son is at Camp Pendleton. I just called my dad and he said today is "family day" at the base. Last chance to say good-bye before the troops head out. My son called me from Pendleton. He was enroute to Taco Bell for lunch with his buddies. We swapped info about where to find his W2 and POA so I can do his taxes for him.

We made a 910 mile drive from Pocatello to San Diego to visit with him last Friday and Saturday. He introduced his girl friend. Before we left, she was his fiancee. He had been holding onto the ring for 2 weeks prior to getting his mobilization order.

[Desdemona]

God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, St. Michael the Archangel, our troops are going to need all the help they can get.

Vaya con Dios. Semper Fi.

[Desdemona]

My parents went to visit my brother this week. He's not scheduled to deploy yet, but...

[JoJo Gunn]

Nah. Can't happen. After all, they've assured us that Sodom doesn't have any of those weapons, right? :)

[GraniteStateConservative]

An analyst on MSNBC thought the timetable was that on Tuesday morning that Blair will address the House of Commons and that Bush will address the nation Tuesday night (so he doesn't step on Blair's air time). Both speeches will say that Hussein and the people close to Hussein are now in control of what happens next, and that the expectation is that a peaceful end won't happen (which tells people that war will come soon and gives us some degree of surprise). Then 2-3 days later, after the bombs start falling, Bush will address the nation again.

[Unknowing]

"I'm sure most of you are nervous," he said. "It's like a big test that you've been studying for, but you don't know what questions they'll ask. You think you're ready for it but you just don't know. "You're ready. You will do fine,. . . "

I would follow this man into battle, or into the Bar Exam. These are trustworthy words, IMHO. But maybe it doesn't take much to inspire me.

[2rightsleftcoast]

Just make sure we kill Sadaams sons too.

[MEG33]

I forgot! Now I feel ever so much better!

[Myrddin]

When I visited my son last weekend in San Diego, I stopped by El Cajon Gun Exchange. One of the employees is a retired Marine sniper. He's 60 years old. He actually volunteered his services if needed.

Like you, I can nail a chicken at several hundred yards. I never served in the military, but I've made multiple deliveries of software to unfriendly places on behalf of the military as a DoD contractor. At 46, I'm out of shape and "ineligible". If necessary, either of those deficiencies can be fixed.

My son will be driving a HumVee outfitted as a rescue ambulance. He'll be standing watches behind a .50 cal machine gun. It's going to be an unpleasant exercise in growing up.

[Myrddin]

My son's deployment order was signed months ago. The mobilization order resulted in his call up on Wednesday afternoon last week. It's a pretty quick process. Prayers for your brother and the folks in the field.