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 availability of more than 250 precision strike aircraft and more than 2,000 Tomahawk Cruise missiles coupled with two to four Amphibious Ready Groups with Marine Expeditionary Units embarked is a tremendous gathering of firepower. All would be available to support an invasion of Iraq, at sea and on call. Several squadrons of F-117A Nighthawks would also be expected to forward deploy, possibly to Incirlik, Turkey or the al Udeid airbase in Qatar that has new state-of-the-art “bomb-proof” hangers. During Desert Storm, the stealth fighters were the only coalition jets allowed to strike targets inside Baghdad’s city limits. Q. Do you think the United States will act alone in these strikes, or will other coalition
