Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Shelton amazed at Saddam's actions

Released: Aug. 27, 1999

By Staff Sgt. Cindy York
Combined Task Force/Operation Northern Watch Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (USAFENS) -- During a visit to Operation Northern Watch and Incirlik, Gen. Hugh Shelton, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he's amazed that Saddam Hussein hasn't gotten the message yet.

Flying more than 5,000 combat sorties since Desert Fox in December 1998, ONW coalition aircraft have dropped more than 800 bombs against more than 240 targets.

The coalition's responses to Saddam's "immoral, illegal and basically criminal activities" are causing a huge loss to Iraq's forces, according to Shelton.

"I don't think there's any question that ONW continues to (deplete) Saddam's forces -- the same forces that he would use to either attack the Kurd's in the north or attack his neighbors in the south," Shelton said during his Aug. 17 visit.

"He still believes he can challenge the coalition aircraft, that he can attack us, that he can continue to violate the rules that have been laid out," he said.

"Every time he fires, he pays a price for that. If he decides he wants to fly aircraft across the no-fly zone, he pays a price for that. We do (it) at a time and place of our choosing, we do it asymmetrically, but it's always in response to a violation of the (rules of engagement) by Saddam or his forces," Shelton said.

The general said when he is at the Pentagon, he pays particular attention to the happenings in this part of the world.

"Every day I look at what the activity was, what the response was, and it is obvious to me that you here at Northern Watch have been taking care of business in a way that's best described as magnificently," he said.

Discussing the future of ONW with its U.S. commander, Brig. Gen. David Deptula, Shelton said the organization is on the right path.

"We were looking into the way ahead and what we might do in the future, but let me assure you that what you're doing today is exactly what the National Command Authority wants you to do," said the general.

"You are doing an absolutely fantastic job here (at) Northern Watch," he added. "I would like to reiterate to (you) how important what (you're) doing is in terms of carrying out our national security."