Air Force Chief Predicts Long Iraq Mission

[Barrett808]

Air Force Chief Predicts Long Iraq Mission
By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Air Force may remain in Iraq for a "long time," most likely in a capacity similar to its lengthy patrols of the no-fly zone after the first Gulf War, the top Air Force general said Tuesday.

Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, said that even as ground forces begin to come out of Iraq, the Air Force will be needed to carry troops and supplies, to perform surveillance and reconnaissance, and to strike targets. He said the Air Force will remain in Iraq while that country works to establish its own air defenses.

"I think the Air Force will be there like we were for the no-fly zone for a long time," Moseley told defense reporters. "I don't know yet how many bases. We're looking at reducing the number of bases. We have 18 we are flying airplanes off of right now. I see that number coming down. But I don't see the air and space component leaving soon."

As the fourth year of the Iraq war begins, close to 21,000 Air Force personnel are in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the bulk in Iraq.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060411/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq

[sutz12]

1. Well, heck. I thought it would be a short war..

:sarcasm:

Where was this guy 4 years ago during the runup? Smart people were saying, "It'll be a long war" back then, but nobody was listening, at least not the right people.

Hmmmmmm, I'm just spitballing here, but if we had just maintained the status quo with the old no fly zones, maybe we wouldn't have 2,000+ dead and ca. 20,000 wounded Americans and god knows how many Iraqis dead or injured. Just a thought, you know.

Go, King George. :puke: