Ahh, forgot to give Bigman his props - you're exactly right Bigman. Saddam's days are numbered... I only wish we had a number for that. But I'm willing to wait as long as it's done right. The First Gulf War took 6 months of buildup.
Because it is overkill, my guess is the reason is for leverage, more so than large scale action. The fact that it costs so much money to mobilize these forces could very well be a plus to the military brass more than a negative. I just don't see how units other than special forces units and perhaps a little air support will be of much use in this type of covert combat. The rest is intimidation, though I don't have a big problem with that.
That's kinda my point. Much of this force will be used elsewhere. Saddam's days are numbered. And we will all have a significantly lower chance of contracting smallpox when he's dead.
Non Fiction: BlackHawk Down by Mark Bowden Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNabb The one who got away by Chris Ryan Who Dares Wins by ??? about the British SAS Fiction: Without Remorse by Tom Clancy (indirectly about SF) Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy Sorry I can't helo more with Fiction - those Clancy ones are OK, with Rainbow Six being for SF/Counter Terorrism. I would be interested in hearing of some fiction ones as well. Those non fiction ones I mentioned are freaking incredible.
Killing Pablo is a chronicle of how the Special Forces hunted and killed Pablo Escobar. A buddy of mine who has a cousin in the Army Special Forces was told by him that it paints a very accurate picture of Special Forces and how they operate.
Australia has just committed some SAS troops, and a couple of refueling aircraft to the war. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/story_19209.asp
I believe that Australia has enacted ANZUS (Australia-New Zealand-US defense treaty) already, which means full military support and coordination. I'm satisfied with a US-Britian-Aussie military coalition. I couldn't care less if anyone else contributes, that's all we need.
