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From: nak%archie@att.att.com (Neil A Kirby)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Iraq's Military Strength
Message-ID: <1990Aug9.015928.8556@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 9 Aug 90 01:59:28 GMT
References: <1990Aug8.030457.25888@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
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From: nak%archie@att.att.com (Neil A Kirby)
In article <1990Aug8.030457.25888@cbnews.att.com> terryy%sandstorm.Berkeley.EDU@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (Terry Yeung) writes:

>	1) How good are the aircraft in the Iraqi Air Force?  I just saw on
>	   the news yesterday that they had MiG-29s.  

Heard this morning (WED) on NPR's morning edition (I forgot who the
commentator was) [paraphrased]:

    The Iraqi air force uses modern aircraft but are lackluster in pressing
    home their attacks.  Their performance against Iran should have been
    better given their numerical superiority and newer air craft.

>	3) There has been some talk to sending two U.S. tank divisions to
>	   Saudi Arabia to protect against a possible Iraqi invasion.  How
>	   long would it take to mobilize these forces and get them there?

    The 45th (?) armour is headed to Saudi Arabia as of today.  ETA was not
    stated.  I don't know what the composition of the 45th is.  While not
    tanks, 2 tac air wings from Langley (F-15's) and Myrtle Beach (F-16s)
    are enroute.

>	5) What kind of assets does the U.S. have in the area?  The carrier
>	   Independence is in the Gulf of Oman.  What other ships do we have
>	   headed there?  I've heard that there will be three carrier battle
>	   groups there when all the forces arrive.  True?  Which ships?

    Eisenhower (sp?) tranisted the Suez canal last night with Egypt's
    permission (Nimitz class nuclear carrier).  Independence is there, and
    the JFK (? sudden surge of doubt in my mind) is inbound.

    Also enroute is the battleship Wisconsin (sp), and a marine assualt ship.


Neil Kirby
...att!archie!nak