US deploying Cold War-era Warthog gunships to Mideast
Iran Press TV
Sat Sep 27, 2014 3:39PM GMT
The US Ari Force is deploying a number of Cold War-era gunships known as Warthog to the Middle East, where they could be used against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.
An Indiana Air National Guard unit is planning to deploy an unknown number of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, also known as Warthog, accompanied by about 300 airmen, to the US Central Command region early next month, Stars and Stripes reports, citing a Sept. 17 news release from the unit.
The Air National Guard release does not mention the exact whereabouts of the group's deployment or what purpose it would serve.
Experts say ISIL positions in Iraq and Syria are the target.
"When you deploy the A-10, they only have one purpose [and that is] to kill things on the ground," said Dakota Wood, a senior researcher at the Heritage Foundation.
"If the expectation is to defeat ISIS in Iraq and help the Iraqis push them out or do anything in Syria, especially in the border area between Syria and Iraq, you will need firepower," he said, using another acronym for the terrorist group.
The US Air Force wants to retire its fleet of A-10 aircraft to pay for its new and costly F-35 stealth fighters. The plan would save about $4.2 billion over five years, Air Force officials say.
Designed to shoot Soviet tanks, the A-10 has been the primary aircraft for "close air support" of ground forces with limited air-defense since the mid-1970s.
US President Barack Obama has authorized airstrikes against ISIL militants in Iraq and Syria, but has repeatedly ruled out American ground forces in a combat role.
The administration hopes armed and trained "moderate" insurgents in Syria, and military forces in Iraq would lead the ground war against ISIL.
HRJ/HRJ
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