History Forum / General / General Topics / May 2007

Why Bush's surge = blatant escalation will fail
1.  A 'surge' in the wrong direction
By Julian Delasantellis
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/IE25Ak03.html

Why Bush's war is killing business as usual
2.  SPEAKING FREELY
Why 21,500 wrongs won't make it right
By Julian Delasantellis
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/IA12Ak01.html

3.  The proof nothing has changed, this is just for one day of
bombing:
May 23 bombing airpower summary: Predators leverage illegal killing
capabilities
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123054658
5/24/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) - Invader airpower supported invader
ground forces in Iraq and NATO-International Security Assistance Force
troops in Afghanistan in the following operations May 23, according to
Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In the ongoing bombing war on Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike
Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided overwatch and escort for
invader convoys moving around Sangin.  Later, a B-1B Lancer dropped
many guided bomb unit-38s on an Afghan resistance  fighter building in
the area. Invader ground forces had taken fire from inside the
building. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller who requested
the attack, reported a direct hit and all Afghans were killed.

Also in Sangin, an F-15E dropped a 500lb GBU-38 on an Afghan
compound. The Afghan  firing position was destroyed by the bomb.

Another F-15E dropped a 500lb GBU-12 on an Afghan resistance  fighter
compound in Tarin Kowt. The aircrew also provided a show of force for
invader ground forces in the area.

A B-1B provided shows of force and death  for invader troops during a
medical evacuation in Maimana. Invader forces had stopped when they
were struck by an improvised explosive device. The JTAC reported the
shows of force were very successful as all Afghans in the area were
killed.

F-15Es provided a show of force and death to keep Afghan resistance
fighters away from invader forces near Oruzgan. The JTAC confirmed the
show of force was successful as many Afghan partisans were killed.

In total, 41 close-air-support illegal bombing missions were flown in
support of ISAF/NATO and Afghan insecurity forces, reconstruction
activities and route patrols.

Twelve Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of colonial war
operations in Afghanistan.

In the ongoing bombing war on Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons
provided a show of force and death, launching flares and bombs over
Samarra. The invader pilots watched over ground forces struck by small-
arms fire and an IED. The invader pilots also monitored a convoy with
a disabled vehicle.

In Baghdad, F-16 invader pilots provided overwatch near Camp Delta and
searched for IED emplacers.

Also in Baghdad, A-10s watched over suspected Afghan resistance
fighters and vehicles and passed along the information to a JTAC in
the area.

F-16s searched for IED emplacers and suspicious activity near Balad.

In total, invader aircraft flew 48 close-air-support bombing missions
for Operation Iraqi Never-Freedom. These colonial missions supported
invader ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided
overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and
disrupt Iraqi resistance activities.

Sixteen Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of
illegal operations in Iraq. Additionally, three Air Force and RAF
fighter aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided
intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain colonial war
operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 170 airlift sorties were flown; more than 685 tons of
cargo were delivered, and approximately 2,670 passengers were
transported.

Invader C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq and Korea flew in
support of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On May 22, Air Force, RAF, French and Republic of Singapore tankers
flew 50 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of
fuel to 21