Special forces already inside Iraq: Chemical response expected to U.S. Operation Iraqi Freedom

NBC, MSNBC AND NEWS SERVICES ^ | March 18, 2003 | Jim Miklaszewski

[estjohn]

U.S. special forces and CIA agents have already entered Iraq and are scouting potential targets, gathering intelligence and preparing the battlefield for a U.S. invasion that would likely be code-named Operation Iraqi Freedom, military sources told NBC News on Tuesday.

[snip]

They also revealed that intelligence reports were indicating that Saddam was preparing to use chemical weapons against U.S. troops.

Artillery shells with chemical warheads were being handed out to troops of Saddam's elite Republican Guard at Al Kut, southeast of Baghdad, the reports indicated, while preparations were under way to coat bridges and roadways with a lethal VX nerve agent to slow U.S. troops on their advance to Baghdad.

U.S. intelligence reports also indicated that Saddam had as many as 50 unmanned drones he could use to attack U.S. troops with chemical weapons from the air, the sources told NBC News' Jim Miklaszewski.

[swaimh]

4 words: army corps of engineers. we'll build/bring our own

[swaimh]

i'm not sure, but i thought napalm didn't burn hot enough to destroy vx. is that a misconception?

[Registered]

[Bulldogs22]

Haven't seen any other. Good find.

[LizardQueen]

Bummer about the Allegra - that's the only antihistamine I can take.

At least I don't drink Wild Turkey (not my brand!).

LQ

[3D-JOY]

I agree and I will obviously review, where possible, the "MADE IN...." label.

I have no intention of putting Americans out of work.

Direct imports such as wine and water are easy choices for me! I still patronize the same stores and just switch products. Yes, delivery may be effected, but often distributors carry many lines.

[Beck_isright]

"Are there countermeasures for VX on bridges? Can it be neutralized or do you just have to bypass it...."

There are neutralizing agents mixed with water, but it delays an offensive severely. Mixed with a minefield, a blown bridge, and VX, you could easily bog down a column for up to a day. You have to decontaminate, clear the minefield, then send in the engineers to build the bridge. There is a misconception that we'll be in Baghdad in 3 or 4 days. I strongly disagree. This is a war which will last 30-45 days, minimum. Alot depends on the deployment of biologicals, which are a bigger problem than chemical weapons.

[Beck_isright]

Grampa, God Bless ya, but you left out the Belgian companies!!!

[Beck_isright]

"I have been hunting for about 22 years,my heart shots last year were between 225-310 yards with my 7 mm mag .I know im not the best ,but it seams someone could take sadam out,given the new guns available,an the yardage away from target?"

There are 30 surgically altered bodyguards which look just like him. Unless your 7mm can penetrate 200 ft underground, I wouldn't get too hopeful. This will be a bloody war, I warn everyone now.

[Libertina]

while preparations were under way to coat bridges and roadways with a lethal VX nerve agent to slow U.S. troops on their advance to Baghdad.
This is on the heads of US DemRAT leaders & UN obstructionists, appeasers & "doves." The element of surprise has been lost due to YOUR sedition. SHAME!

[capydick]

Grampa,
If you havent already,check your email.Thanks.....

[Paulus Invictus]

What about Mexican and Chilean goods and products? They were going to vote against us.

[mrb1960]

Seems to me that since we are gonna inflicted heavy strikes via and massive air campaign, my guess is the chemical weapons would be much use against tomahawk cruise missiles, laser guided air to surface missiles, etc, etc, etc.

By the time our ground forces move in, there won't be very many people left who should be able to even launch such a weapon.

[Coop]

maybe I am missing something, but the units holding these VX weapons are going to be bombed, right?

WMD weapons are top proirity targets. Our folks will not be sitting back waiting to see if they throw chemicals or bio agents our way.

God bless our troops!

[CyberAnt]

I agree with you about causing harm to American jobs.

[texxie]

amen sam:)

[3D-JOY]

Wild Turkey LOL

Were you surprised at the things on the list? They were quite extensive.

I love my Rowenta iron!

I am not pouring my Chevas Regal down the drain, but will not buy more.

No Cartier, Chanel, Dior, DKNY or Givenchy? How can a girl live like that? LOL

[Jeff Chandler]

I heard a BBC reporter describe what she believed to be large oil tanks buried by road overpasses. Could they be filled with nasty stuff?

[2nd Amendment]

There is nothing to worry about. According to most democrats, the hollywood left, the French, Blitz, the Dixie Chicks and about 175 other 4th world countries, Saddam doesn't have chemical warheads

[Maeve]

The Answer is Buy AMERICAN!