HISTORY 241 Lecture 5: November 2 Lecture The Iraq War
Document Summary
The case for war: un resolution, debates over wmd. Ground forces unready: 101st airborne still unloading in kuwait, 4th infantry still in the mediterranean. 3 divisions ready: 3rd infantry decision, us marine expeditionary forces, british 1st armored division. Special operation force: 31 us teams join cia. War starts early: intel on saddam"s location, f17"s launched at dawn: decapitation strike. Ground forces move: no extended period of bombing, iraqi silkworm missiles land in kuwait, potential sabotage of fields of rumelia. Cruise missiles: cruise missile strikes on command centers and regime targets in baghdad and. Shock and awe = scare into surrendering. Western desert: special operation forces take iraqi airfields in western desert, forestall any attack on israel. March 21: 20k troops and 10k vehicles. Marines move northeast and seize rumalia oil fields. Shock and awe: march 21 massive bombing targeting command and control. Red zone: 4 iraqi divisions remained around baghdad but forced massive us airstrikes.
