U.S. Fighter Bombers Could Strike Iraq Tomorrow

Five U.S. Air Force F-16 'Fighting Falcon' jets fly in echelon formation over the U.S. en route to an exercise in this undated file photograph. Credit: Reuters/USAF/Staff Sgt. Greg L. Davis/Handout/Files

U.S. Aircraft Could Strike Iraq Tomorrow -- Eli Lake and Tim Mak, Daily Beast

The Iraqi government wants U.S. air power to help stop the terror groups taking over their cities. It wouldn’t take long to deliver air support, if Obama gives the green light.

President Obama has so far turned down Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki’s request for U.S. air strikes against the Islamic extremists taking over his country. But if Obama changes his mind, U.S. jets could be flying over Iraq in less than a day.

U.S. air bases, housing dozens of American fighters and bombers, are well within striking distance of Iraq. High-flying spy drones like the Global Hawk can just as easily fly over Iraq as Afghanistan or any other conflict zone in the region. The aircraft carrier U.S.S. George H.W. Bush is a few days’ sail away, in the North Arabian Sea. And it boasts dozens more fighters on board.

That’s why a number of retired high-ranking U.S. Air Force officers, including Lt. Gen. David Deptula, who served as the Air Force’s first deputy chief of staff for intelligence, say any strikes, if ordered, could begin almost immediately.

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My Comment: Apparently the U.S. is also considering launching airstrikes on targets in Syria as well. My expectation is that if air strikes do occur .... it will be after President Obama has considered all of his options, and this will probably be completed by Monday. After that .... expect the intel community and the Iraqi government taking some time to make a list of targets .... if it has not been done already.