How important is the factor of weather regarding military operations in Iraq?
Several reports say that the summer months are too hot to consider an invasion. A. The summer months are ending soon. A severe drought does continue to plague Iraq and parts of the Middle East — the worst conditions in more than 30 years. Temperatures routinely reach well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the months from April through October. This fact alone would complicate and slowdown movements of armored vehicles or tanks and troops in protective bio-chemical gear during that period. Shorter days and cooler temperatures in the winter months naturally point to a more advantageous environment for U.S. military operations. Q. What critical actions have to occur for U.S. forces to be ready to invade Iraq? A. It does not make sense to conduct intense combat operations in Iraq without several strategic assets in place. Towards the end of 2002 and the beginning of 2003, the Persian Gulf/Indian Ocean areas can have at least six carrier battle groups on scene. The presence and flexible availa
