CBC News Online February 14, 2003
The military buildup
There are about 135,000 American military personnel in the Persian Gulf. Military analysts believe that by the end of February 2003, the number will be closer to 150,000. It's the largest single ground deployment to the Gulf since the war in 1991.
An American military presence in the Persian Gulf is nothing new - normally, there's an average of about 20,000 U.S. troops in the area. Bahrain is the home of the U.S. 5th fleet. And the U.S. air base at Incirlik, Turkey, strategically important during the Cold War, has regained new importance as the home of aircraft patrolling Iraq's northern no-fly zone.
Military logistics and supply experts have been in the region for months preparing for incoming materiel. Tugboats, forklifts and other cargo-handling equipment needed to prepare ports for the arrival of tanks and other armoured equipment are coming in. And military exercises, with names like "Intrinsic Action" and "Desert Spring," have taken place in the region. The Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia is the home port for several ships permanently loaded and standing by with equipment and arms for land troops.
Britain is expected to commit 35,000-40,000 troops to a possible war. About half of that number were in the Gulf region in early February.
Here's what we know about where troops are gathering in the Gulf, and the role certain countries may play if the U.S. declares war on Iraq.
Kuwait
U.S. troops are currently conducting exercises in the Kuwaiti desert, which is similar to the terrain in Iraq. The military presence in Kuwait, which sits on Iraq's southern doorstep, is so massive it covers over 1,600 square miles - more than a quarter of Kuwait. In early February, the Kuwaiti government announced that the northern half of the country would be sealed and off-limits to everyone except military personnel.
Military presence in Kuwait, as of Feb 1, 2002:
about 35,000 U.S. troops.
at least four armoured brigades, with about 900 M1A1 Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles. The brigades also include 120-mm mortars and 155-mm howitzers.
about 85 aircraft, including 24 Apache helicopter gunships. F-15, F-16 and A-10 aircraft operate from two Kuwaiti air bases, Al-Jaber and Ali Salem. F-117 Stealth fighters have been ordered to the region from their bases in the U.S.
at least two Patriot anti-missile batteries.
a new $200-million logistics base, Camp Arifjan, south of Kuwait City.
Navy Seabees based in Spain are in Kuwait for construction duties at two bases.
two or three divisions of troops and support equipment are also expected, which military sources and analysts say will be shuttled into
Kuwait City's international airport via civilian jetliners.
Kuwait is the base for British ground forces: the 7th Armoured Brigade (the 'Desert Rats') with 3,400 combat soldiers and approximately 300 Challenger tanks and Warrior fighting vehicles. 2,100 paratroops are also expected, and 4,000 ship-based Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade.
Population: 2.12 million, of which half are foreign workers.
Geography:
Kuwait's northern border with Iraq stretches 240 km.
Economy:
Kuwait is a small, rich, economy with 10 per cent of world crude oil reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP and 75 per cent of government income. Arable land is less than 0.5 per cent of the country; however, Kuwait is considered one of the most advanced countries in desalinization and water purification, and a world leader in dealing with air and water pollution
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Turkey
Turkey's location on the northern border of Iraq would make it a key player in a war. Currently, U.S. and British planes routinely fly from Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey to patrol the no-fly zone in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. In a campaign with Iraq, planes flying out of Turkey could represent more than a third of the total air power.
In December, Turkey's foreign minister said airbases would be open to the United States in the event the United Nations approves military action against Iraq. But two days later, the minister retracted the offer, saying the comment was misinterpreted and was only made in reference to a hypothetical situation.
On February 6, the Turkish parliament agreed to allow the U.S. to upgrade military bases in preparation for a war with Iraq. However NATO delayed the decision to boost Turkey's military defences. On February 18, the Turkish parliament is scheduled to vote on whether or not to allow U.S. combat troops into the country.
The Turkish bases are modern facilities built and outfitted to fulfil the country's obligations as a member of NATO. But the government has yet to commit to any plan for further upgrades or expanded use in the event of war.
Military presence in Turkey, as of Feb 1, 2002:
nearly 4,000 U.S. personnel operate out of Incirlik.
200 U.S. aircraft based in Incirlik: F-15, F-16, A-10 and F-117 Stealth fighters. The U.S. has sent B-5B bombers and F-15 variants that jam radar and attack ground targets. Predator unmanned drones have also been sent to the region.
aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its accompanying group of cruisers, destroyers and frigates operate out of the Mediterranean.
Position on Iraq:
Turkey is a staunch NATO ally of the United States. American fighter planes are already using bases in Turkey to monitor the no-fly zones in Iraq. In several documents leaked to American media, Turkey appears to be a country of choice for military planners to station soldiers and army materials.
But Turkey also has a sizeable Kurdish population and if the Kurds revolt in Iraq as they did during the Persian Gulf War, that may encourage separatist actions by Turkish Kurds.
Several Turkish Muslim fundamentalist groups are hostile to the country assisting the United States in a military operation against Iraq.
Population: 66,493,970
Geography:
Turkey's eastern border with Iraq stretches 331 km.
Economy:
Turkey's economy is modernized in certain industries, such as textiles and clothing, and more traditional in others, including agriculture. Turkey could stand to gain economic aid from the U.S. if it provides bases, but war could also disrupt its already volatile economic climate.
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Qatar
The U.S. "Internal Look"
U.S. Dept. of Defense Photo
In December, the U.S. "Internal Look," a computer-assisted exercise intended as a dry run for an offensive against Iraq, took place. The exercise involved about 1,000 military planners and a state-of-the-art command centre that was airlifted from Tampa, Fla. The modular, mobile buildings and the high-speed digital communications equipment, both designed to operate under extreme heat or cold, were used for the first time.
Military presence in Qatar, as of Feb. 1, 2003:
about 3,500 U.S. military personnel, mostly from the army.
mobile Central Command ("CentCom") used in "Internal Look" will be staffed by approximately 1,600 U.S. and U.K. troops.
dozens of combat aircraft and aerial tankers fly out of the Al Budded air base in Qatar, the likely U.S. command headquarters in a war.
a new aerial command-and-control centre is nearing completion at Al Udeid, in case U.S. forces cannot use their control centre in Saudi Arabia.
Qatar's Al Udeid airbase, home to the longest runway in the Gulf (15,000 feet), has recently been upgraded by the U.S. Also, air-to-air refuelling KC-10 and KC-135 tanker aircraft operate there in support of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and to police Iraq's southern no-fly zone.
The airbase can accommodate almost 100 aircraft.
Position on Iraq:
U.S. forces used bases in Qatar during the 1991 war. Its Persian Gulf location could also be useful in sea-based operations. Several articles in American newspapers regarding leaked military documents say Qatar's government will accommodate American forces.
But the tiny Gulf state would much prefer a diplomatic solution to the crisis to a military one. Recently a border dispute with Bahrain was settled.
Population: 769,152
Geography:
Has a 563-km coastline along the Persian Gulf.
Economy:
A massive oil producer with the world's third largest natural gas reserves.
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Bahrain
The U.S. 5th Fleet Headquarters is in Bahrain.
Military presence in Bahrain as of Feb 1, 2003:
4,200 sailors, including its battle force, Task Force 50. There is also a Canadian-led subordinate task group of Task Force 50 enforcing UN shipping sanctions on Iraq: frigates HMCS Montreal and HMCS Winnipeg. Frigate HMCS Regina is expected in the region in March 2003.
The aircraft carrier Constellation and its battle group of frigates, destroyers and the submarine Columbia operate out of the base. The carriers USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Abraham Lincoln are sailing for the region from Australia. Roosevelt's companion ships include USS Anzio and USS Cape St. George, two cruisers capable of launching cruise missiles. Three guided missile destroyers, USS Arleigh Burke, USS Porter and USS Winston Churchill are also part of that battle group, as is missile frigate USS Carr.
British aircraft carriers HMS Ark Royal and HMS Ocean, both of which carry helicopters rather than jets, are en route to the region accompanied by USS Montpelier, an American nuclear submarine.
Position on Iraq:
During the Persian Gulf War of 1991, Bahrain sent troops to Saudi Arabia to fight against Iraq and permitted the United States Navy to use its port and docking facilities. It's unclear if they will or will not do the same now.
Population: 645,361
Geography:
Bahrain lies in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia.
Economy:
The economy of this small Gulf state is based primarily on petroleum production and refining, which accounts for about 60 per cent of government revenues, and 30 per cent of GDP.
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Oman
In Oman, airfields and ports serve as important trans-shipment points for materiel flowing into the Gulf region. QABOOS bin Said Al Said has ruled as sultan since usurping his father in 1970. He initiated a wide scale modernization program, opening the country to the world but preserving a long-standing close relationship with the UK. Oman has a moderate, independent, foreign policy which seeks to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
Military presence in Oman, as of Feb 1, 2003:
3,600 U.S. military personnel.
100 elite British special forces.
about 40 aircraft.
a new airbase is under construction, which will have a 14,000-foot runway.
Position on Iraq:
Oman has a moderate, independent, foreign policy which seeks to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Oman has allowed the U.S., UK and other countries to base military forces.
Population: 2.7 million, including 600-thousand foreign workers
Geography:
Has a 2100-km coastline along the Persian Gulf.
Economy:
Oman's economy is based on oil prices. The government is moving to privatize utilities and develop commercial and civil law based on a meld of British common law and traditional culture. Oman joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November, 2000.
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United Arab Emirates
Military presence, as of Feb 1, 2003:
500 personnel, mostly from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, are based at Al Dhafra.
seven aircraft based at Al Dhafra.
a detachment of Canadian Aurora maritime patrol aircraft.
Canadian Aurora aircraft
(DND Photo Credit: Pte Nickerson)
In the 19th century, several independent states gave the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs. In 1971, six of these states merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined a year later by Ra's al Khaymah, which has an ongoing border disagreement with neighbouring Oman.
Position on Iraq:
The UAE has a moderate foreign policy. Canadian Aurora long-range surveillance patrol aircraft, operating from the Al Dhafra air base, have been helping enforce UN shipping sanctions against Iraq. U.S. re-fuelling tanker aircraft also operate from the base.
Population: 2.5 million, including 1.5 million foreign workers.
Geography:
Has a 1300-km coastline along the Persian Gulf.
Economy:
The UAE has a high per capita income and sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealthy economy is based on oil and gas output, which accounts for about a third of GDP. Since 1973 and the discovery of immense gas reserves, the UAE has profoundly changed from the region's poor cousin to a modern state with a high standard of living. Oil and gas reserves are predicted to last for more than 100 years.
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Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia was the key base for the coalition that fought Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War but has shown reluctance to join a second war with Baghdad. However, the Saudis have agreed to allow a U.S.-led coalition to use its airspace and the Prince Sultan Air Base if there is a war with Iraq.
Military presence in Saudi Arabia, as of Feb 1, 2003:
between 5,000 and 7,000 U.S. personnel, mostly air force, based at the Prince Sultan Air Base near Riyadh, where the air campaign over Afghanistan was managed.
about 75 aircraft.
two Patriot anti-missile batteries
Position on Iraq:
Although the oil-rich kingdom provided army bases to U.S. soldiers during Operation Desert Storm, that won't happen this time.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud told Associated Press on Aug.7, 2002, that Saudi soil will not be used by the American's in an attack against Iraq. "We believe (an attack) is not needed.We don't want them to use Saudi grounds," he said.
Saud said it's up to the Iraqi people to choose their leader, as opposed to armed forces effecting a leadership change And he noted Iraq's recent offer to invite UN weapons inspectors, who haven't been in the country since December 1998, signals that an attack is not necessary.
Population: 22,757,092
Geography:
Large coastlines along the Persian Gulf would provide U.S. with waterway access to Iraq and a place to send off aircraft.
Economy:
Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world and is the largest exporter of petroleum, with 90 per cent of its export revenues deriving from it.
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Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia is a British base in the Indian Ocean. The base is 5,345 kilometres (3,340 miles) from Baghdad, or a week's sail from the Persian Gulf.
Military presence at the Diego Garcia base, as of Feb 1, 2003:
about 1,900 personnel, mostly air force.
pre-positioned equipment aboard ships for a marine brigade and an army brigade. The army equipment is gradually being shipped to Kuwait.
about eight Vietnam War-era B-52 heavy bombers, which have been upgraded to drop satellite- and laser-guided "smart" bombs.
the U.S. air force has built facilities for radar-evading B-2 Stealth bombers based in the U.S. The planes can carry 40,000 pounds of satellite- and laser-guided bombs.
at least 17 U.S. navy and chartered ships loaded with tanks, heavy armour, vehicles and other supplies.
40th Air Expeditionary Wing
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Sources:
GlobalSecurity.org and the Center for Defense Information.
Copyright © 2003, CBC News Online
