ABC News August 14, 2002
Preparing for War?
New Signs of a U.S. Military Buildup in the Persian Gulf
 Al Udeid Airbase, Qatar Picture of the Week |
By John McWethy
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 - Large-scale preparations for a possible invasion of Iraq are under way in a small section of the Persian Gulf region, far from public view.
Commercial satellite images show a state-of-the-art airfield was recently modernized to American specifications at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars. The al Udeid Airbase is in Qatar, a tiny Persian Gulf nation that is an increasingly important friend of the United States. It has one of the longest runways in the region, about 14,000 feet. Two giant bomb-proof hangars with unusual design features that could house up to 40 planes each are present.
"This is one of the first stealth-like hangars that we've seen," said John Pike of Global Security.org said after looking at the satellite images. "It looks like the angles of this hangar would make it more difficult for an incoming attack airplane to use its radar to home in on the hangar or target the hangar."
Eight months ago, work began on a new command center at the al Udeid Airbase. It is now approaching completion and is considered the place from which the United States would most likely run a war against Iraq.
Saudi Arabia has publicly stated the United States cannot run such a war from U.S. bases on Saudi soil. For months, the Pentagon has been moving weapons, computers and supplies out of Saudi Arabia and into facilities in Qatar.
Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait
Sources told ABCNEWS that the U.S. military is also improving facilities in Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. Officials are laying in additional war supplies so troops and aircraft can move into the area quickly without the need to bring in millions of tons of gear. In theory, they would be ready to fight when they arrive, with little visible buildup to tip off the Iraqis.
Sources say there are also preparations being made in eastern Turkey and on the ground at airfields in the extreme northern part of Iraq controlled by the Kurds.
Both President Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld have said that no decision to invade Iraq has been made and will not be for some time. Privately, officials say many things need to be done before such a decision is made although the foundation for an invasion is being laid now.
© Copyright 2002 ABC News
