Marines

It occurs to me that the goal of not massing troops around Iraq until we strike is supported by the Marine Corps exercise off of Kuwait. They go ashore and what do they do? Practice urban warfare.

Makes sense that the Marines carry out a ship-to-shore movement directly to Basra to hold the eastern flank of the Army drive north. That explains the American interest in destroying Basra air defenses and anti-ship missiles there. If the British are in the first wave, they could drive north to link up with the Marines. Or we airlift in one of our new Stryker brigades directly into Basra airfields captured by Marines. As long as Iraqi air defenses are suppressed and the Basra-based Iraqi units are weak, it would go well.

CORRECTION: On my October 8 post I mentioned November 2000 as when we started moving troops for liberating Kuwait. I clearly meant November 1990.