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thedrifter
09-07-03, 07:02 AM
Operation in Iraq is more than slapping on war paint

BY BILL HESS
Herald/Review

FORT HUACHUCA -- Plans to attack terrorist groups began shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, and Iraq was in the mix, Maj. Gen. James Marks said Wednesday.

The initial plan against Iraq was a limited operation to seize the southern oil fields in that country, said Marks, who is the commander of the Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca.

As the world situation heated up, plans changed, and revisions for actions against Iraq became more important, he told nearly 100 people at the Greater Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee luncheon.

Preparing for war is not "like slapping on a bunch of war paint," the general said.

Developing what is needed, to include intelligence sources, has to be carefully considered, Marks said. He became the senior intelligence officer for the ground forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The technology the United States has allows the country to use special systems to keep track of Iraqi forces, the general said.

Preparing the battlefield to the advantage of American and other coalition forces was a key part of the intelligence community's responsibility, Marks said.

The military was prepared to go to war in December 2002, he said. "We thought we were going to give Saddam (Hussein) a Christmas stocking stuffer," he added.

The military was leaning forward, ready to cross the line from Kuwait into Iraq. The political leadership of the United States needed more time before the go was given, Marks said.

Waiting for the go, the U.S. military and others continued to send messages to the Iraqis, playing mind games, to throw off the defending forces, Marks said.

The Iraqis kept shifting around its military, expecting major battles in areas where they would not take place, the general said.

The Iraqis left an area open and that led some to think that is where weapons of mass destruction would be used, he said.

"We got it wrong. I'm OK with that," Marks said.

Using a number of slides, he showed the attacking forces progress over the 21 days of the main battle.

Iraqi forces were in red and the attackers in blue.

For the Iraqis there was chaos, what we call a fur ball, the general said.

Once coalition forces got to Baghdad, they found the city of nearly 5 million almost a ghost town, Marks said.

It took about two weeks before the streets rally came back to life, he added.

As with any military operation, commanders huddle to learn what went well and what didn't, Marks said.

Saying the Army is a learning institution, the lessons from combat will be used to strengthen the service and many of the lessons will be important for intelligence training at Fort Huachuca, he said.

During the luncheon a number of people were recognized. They were:


Spc. Roman McInnerney of the Raymond W. Bliss Health Center as Post Soldier of the Month.


Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Scott of Company D, 309th Military Intelligence Battalion as the Post Instructor of the Quarter.


Petty Officer 1st Class William Webster as the Sailor of the Quarter.


Peter Pietras, of the Network Enterprise Technology Command as the Post Civilian of the Month.

Also honored was Company E, 39th Military Intelligence Battalion, for having donated the most blood during July.

HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 458-9440 Ext. 115 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.

http://www.svherald.com/articles/2003/09/04/news/news6.txt

Sempers,

Roger
:marine: