Attacking Iran
Retired Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, former assistant vice chief of staff of the United States Air Force, lays out a scenario for an air campaign to neutralize Iran's nuclear infrastructure which uses 1210 airframes to deliver smart bombs to 1500 aim points.
The air campaign would be led by 60 Stealth aircraft and 500 cruise missiles followed by 400 non-Stealth tactical aircraft. The attacking air fleet would be supported by 150 tankers and 100 UAVs.
The target set would include air defenses, of course, and the air force, navy, and missile forces fielding the Shahab-3 intermediate range missile. That would eliminate Iran's ability to project military force externally in retaliation. Iranian command and control would also be targeted. McInerney thinks it would take three or four days to service all the targets. Only conventional weapons would be used, no tactical nukes.
While the air campaign is in progress and the Iranian military crippled, a covert operation composed of Iranian exiles and dissidents could overthrow the Ahmadinejad regime. The Iranian people could well seize the opportunity to rid themselves of the hated mullahcracy and the resulting internal turmoil could disrupt plans to retaliate with terror.
It could work.
The air campaign would be led by 60 Stealth aircraft and 500 cruise missiles followed by 400 non-Stealth tactical aircraft. The attacking air fleet would be supported by 150 tankers and 100 UAVs.
The target set would include air defenses, of course, and the air force, navy, and missile forces fielding the Shahab-3 intermediate range missile. That would eliminate Iran's ability to project military force externally in retaliation. Iranian command and control would also be targeted. McInerney thinks it would take three or four days to service all the targets. Only conventional weapons would be used, no tactical nukes.
While the air campaign is in progress and the Iranian military crippled, a covert operation composed of Iranian exiles and dissidents could overthrow the Ahmadinejad regime. The Iranian people could well seize the opportunity to rid themselves of the hated mullahcracy and the resulting internal turmoil could disrupt plans to retaliate with terror.
It could work.
posted by Steverino at 3:26 PM
2 Comments:
Tantor
I came across your blog via a link on MTV where we have spoken briefly.
I think you do a good job of stirring debate and flushing out opinions. I mostly agree with your positions but not with your justifications.
With regard to Iran, why dont I hear much talk about a world coalition. What do you expect from the EU,Asia and the ME?
When the tsunami hit Banda Aceh, the US Navy rushed there to help and was followed by millions of dollars of aid. Americans held rallies to raise funds to send to Indonesia to help.
In the capitol of Indonesia, no rallies were held to raise funds for Banda Aceh or the other coastal cities struck down. The Indonesian elites took little action. When quizzed about this, they brushed it off, saying "Why bother? The Americans will do everything."
I expect there is no world coalition against Iran because why should the world bother? The Americans will do everything.
The Middle East is hardly a bastion of sane thinking. They consider it a matter of pride for Iran to acquire nukes, not considering that Iran is likely to use them on its neighbors to pursue a religious war. Asia is not going to take responsibility for quelling trouble outside of Asia. China probably welcomes such a distraction for America.
And the EU is worthless. The most they will do is hold a bunch of conferences, issue a white paper or two, hope the US will solve the problem, and then condemn America for doing so.
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