Today in Gulf War History – January 8th [C+154] DOD announces new U.S. troop strength at over 360,000 in region (540,000+ Iraqi troops); 147,300 Reserves/National Guard recalled . Navy ship strength in region - 63: 18 (Arabian Gulf), 21 (North Arabian Sea/ Gulf of Oman), 12 (Red Sea), 12 (Mediterranean). Sealift update: 245 ships in support, 218 under MSC operational control; 253 offloads completed (12 billion pounds of equipment /fuel). DOD updates numbers of intercepts - 6,566; boardings - 785; diversions - 34 According to Congressman Les Aspin (D-Wisconsin), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, military action against Iraq will come in phases, beginning with an air attack. A ground attack would come as the last phase after it had been determined that Iraqi forces had been sufficiently weakened. He foresees a good likelihood of a quick allied victory. Soviet-flagged DIMITRY FERMANOV remains in the Red Sea. Cargo ship will be allowed to proceed to its destination of Aqaba when the intercept force has determined the cargo is properly manifested. Twenty-four F-16s arrive at Al Minhad and two EC- 130s (ABCCC) arrive at Riyadh. An F-16 on a night interdiction training mission impacted the ground destroying the aircraft and killing the pilot. Exercise FISH BARREL continues with 575 coalition air sorties, including 285 for close air support training. The twenty KC-10s currently being used for common use lift begin to be incrementally returned to SAC.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 14:00:00 +0000
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