Posted on 03/14/2003 6:07:04 PM PST by 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."
Cheer up, with the training, equipment, leadersip and planning our troops have in place it will be only a few of our wounded and lots of their dead. In the desert heat the smell of death can be awfull. I understand a mother or a wife still worries. Your son is going to do just fine.
Going a little "Biblical are we?
The militant Islamist bastards were correct in their observation that their actions have resurrected the Christian world to complete the "Crusades"....
It has simply been unfinished business....
The Christian world was happy enough to leave "well enough alone"..
The Islamists weren't..
Now they must pay the price for rubbing that lamp.....
Semper Fi
I joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary after 9/11, but my local Flotilla is down to one inoperative boat. Keep thinking about transferring to another, but I'm trying to do my part now with VetsCoR.
My parents didn't give me an allowance. Instead, I had free access to the garden tools. The push mower was my primary source of income. Twenty five cents to mow the lawn. I could knock out 3 or 4 on a Saturday afternoon. The leaf rake was my friend in the fall. I managed $1 to rake all the leaves from a typical .25 acre lot (including bagging). Shoveling snow offered a little income during the two years in Springfield, VA. In Federal Way, WA, I used the axe to split and stack a cord of wood for the elderly folks. They usually paid me $2 for that.
In this hour of our country's history, we stand in the need of prayer. We pray for the families that have known recent loss. We pray for the men and women who serve around the world to defend our freedom. We pray for their families. We pray for wisdom to know and do what is right. And we pray for God's peace in the affairs of men.
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