AT SEA: PLANES BASED ONBOARD U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIERS IN THE GULF CONTINUE TO FLY MISSIONS OVER IRAQ

Record ID: 184546

  • Title: AT SEA: PLANES BASED ONBOARD U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIERS IN THE GULF CONTINUE TO FLY MISSIONS OVER IRAQ
  • Date: 28th March 2003
  • Summary: AT SEA, THE GULF (MARCH 26, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. SLV PAN AMERICAN F/A-18 HORNET STRIKE AIRCRAFT LANDING ON USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN POOR VISIBILITY; AIRCRAFT LANDING ON DECK; AIRCRAFT ABORTING LANDING, TOUCHING DECK THEN TAKING OFF AGAIN; AIRCRAFT ABORTING LANDING, FLYING OVERHEAD (5 SHOTS) 0.34 2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) REAR ADMIRAL JOHN M. KELLY, COMMANDER OF THE U.S.S ABRAHAM LINCOLN BATTLE GROUP AND COMMANDER TASK FORCE FIFTY, SAYING "Our ability to deal with obscured visibility brought on by the blowing dust and sand, is better, significantly better than what Iraq can do, we intend to exploit that advantage, and continue to take on their targets." 0.56 3. SLV AIRCRAFT LANDING IN POOR VISIBILITY 1.04 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 12th April 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: AT SEA, ONBOARD USS LINCOLN, IN THE GULF
  • Country: AT SEA
  • Reuters ID: LVAI1EF8PMM9K2XJZRWXAR77CXN
  • Story Text: Planes based onboard U.S. aircraft carriers in the Gulf
    have continued to fly missions over Iraq through despite bad
    weather.

    Planes from USS Abraham Lincoln and two other U.S.

    aircraft carriers in the Gulf continued to fly missions over
    Iraq through the night and on Wednesday (March 26, 2003),
    despite warnings that the storm was heading south.

    While the storm grounded many helicopters, which are more
    vulnerable to poor weather conditions, warplanes kept up their
    attacks on Iraqi targets.

    Conditions were difficult during the day, and several jets
    had to abort their landings in poor visibility, battling
    against winds of more than 40 knots.

    The head of U.S. and British air operations said the bad
    weather had proven a tactical advantage for U.S. warplanes,
    which have been stealing a march on Iraqi forces less able to
    deal with bad conditions.

    "Our ability to deal with obscured visibility brought on by
    the blowing dust and sand, is better, significantly better
    than what Iraq can do, we intend to exploit that advantage,
    and continue to take on their targets, Rear Admiral John M.

    Kelly said.

    Kelly said several aircraft had been lightly damaged while
    flying through thunderstorms and icy clouds overnight.

    Navy warplanes have been carrying satellite-guided weapons
    that can hit specific targets even when weather conditions
    obscure the ground, giving them an advantage over defenders
    with less advanced equipment.

    Weather forecasters said the storm was expected to
    diminish on Wednesday, although strong winds would still kick
    up sand and dust.

    In Baghdad, where Tuesday's sandstorm hit as U.S. and
    British warplanes kept up their fierce air attack, visibility
    worsened again on Wednesday afternoon with high winds blowing
    sand through the city.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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