"War Alert" ???

[David]

I just received this email from a friend (and he received it from another friend and so on):

"...At 1808 GMT (1:08 p.m. EST, 9:08 p.m. Baghdad) B-52 bombers were
reported taking off from RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom.
Flying time to Iraq is about six hours. Earlier today, they were
reportedly loaded with cruise missiles. The British press has
also reported that skirmishing has commenced between Iraqi troops
and U.S. and British special operations forces near Basra.
Coalition aircraft also have attacked 10 Iraqi artillery pieces
in the southern no-fly zone, and Israelis have been ordered to
open and fit their gas masks, keeping them nearby at all times.

War has not yet commenced, but this is a war alert. More
information will be forthcoming as it is available..."

I wonder if this is yet another Internet rumor...or is there any truth to this?



Any opinions...

 

[telewinz]

Tonight or early morning hours(EST) we go!

 

[Ebbtide]

Sounds good to me.

I've been trying follow the movements but information on the net is questionable, but often correct.

However, why would you put cruise missiles on a b-52? Don't they cruise by themselves?

 

[Bulldozer]

British Press

Sky News and London Evening Standrad had reports linked to Drudgereport.com mentioning the skirmishes.

 

[Poodleshooter]

However, why would you put cruise missiles on a b-52? Don't they cruise by themselves?

Standoff distance. You only need to fly to within a few hundred miles of the target, then drop an ALCM. It vastly extends the range of a cruise missile, leaving more room for payload. Also, keeps the bombers safe from SAM's

 

[Gewehr98]

Poodleshooter's got it right.

Take it from a former B-52H guy, the BUFF ain't particularly stealthy. Standoff capability is very much appreciated, and cruise missiles give it a good measure.