And So It Begins....

The war has just started.

Early reports state that the American military had a strong indication of Iraqi leadership targets being exposed and they "took the shot."

The war has started at dawn in Iraq and this has achieved some measure of tactical surprise.

We may be seeing reporters embedded in Marine units reporting from Basra by Thursday morning eastern standard time.

God speed America.

Update 1:

Iraqi national radio has been knocked out. It's voice has been replaced by American broadcasts in Arabic. "This is the day you have waited for."

Update 2:

ABC is reporting that the initial air attack on Baghdad was with "a flight" of F-117's and 40 cruise missiles.

This report will change. The fog of war is closing in.

Update 3:

We are seeing the media act as a fog machine rather than the fog of war. The reporting I have seen so far is clueless and useless.

The lack of a seperate military/national security journalist the way there is a seperate sports journalist career track really shows.

The one thing that seems clear so far is that we are seeing a selected strike. Iraqi TV is still on the air. "Shock and Awe" would seem to call for it to be taken down at the begining of the war.

Update 4, 10:00pm CST:

I am getting more and better information on the war via the Free Republic than from the networks.

I have no cable, but PBS is broadcasting the BBC and local UPN/WB channels are broadcasting Fox News Channel and CNN. They are all useless. Argh!

I got this from the Freep:

Bush made the decision to attack tonight at 7:40 P.M. after discussions with his intelligence people. They wanted the opportunity to get him while they had him in their sites.

After the meeting broke up, Bush gave them the go ahead; they put their plan into action. The Brits were surprised; Condi Rice has gone home for the night and Bush has gone back to the residence, so I guess that's it for the night, except for maybe a confirmation of a hit??? (I hope!)

Update 5, 10:10pm CST:

The Freep, Fox News Channel and CNN are all reporting that the strategic strike was aimed at Saddam and his sons. This strike came as a complete surprise to the Brits in theater. Blair was apparently kept in the loop.

Ground forces are reportedly still in their start positions and are not moving out yet (multiple sources).

The Freep is reporting that CIA operatives and Special Forces have been in and out of Baghdad for weeks. At a guess, these may have been the forward observers for this "strategic strike" at a "leadership target of opportunity."

Update 6, 10:25pm CST:

Go to this link for a Blogger's eye view of what is going on in Baghdad. (hat tip to the Blogfather)

Most local stations here in Houston have switched to local feeds. I am bouncing between CNN via a local station and the BBC World Service via PBS.

Update 7, 10:45pm CST:

There are two major items of interest that showed up in the last few minutes. First, Bush delegated the start time of the War to General Franks. He decided we would go to war and let Franks choose the time based on military considerations. Franks took the shot when his intelligence said he could hit Saddam.

Second, there has been a change up on the reporting from the Brits. They seem to be back tracking on the targeting of the initial strike. "They were command and contol targets," rather than "leadership targets." Given that the BBC is on the other side in this war. I don't know what to make of that report.

Update 8, 11:00pm CST:

The Abraham Lincoln is launching F-14s according to CNN. The planes are part of the "Southern Watch" patrols rather than a seperate strike package.

CBS and NBC are back to war coverage. The Houston ABC affiliate is still on local programing.

There have been multiple reports that the major "Shock and Awe" strike will go down in 12 or so hours.

There are also multiple reports of artillery duels on the Iraq/Kuwait border.

There is an operation going on in Afghanistan near Kandahar involving US ground troops. This is from the Freep:

Operation Valiant Strike, the "White Devils", 1,000 US troops, South of Kandahar.

Geraldo is embedded with the White Devils. Repeat: Geraldo is with the White Devils.

Update 9, 5:15am, 3-20-03:

I just woke up to Olliver North reporting in MOPP4 gear from a Marine air base in northern Kuwait. Three tactical ballistic missiles were engaged by Patriots and landed six kilometers from ""Freedom Base." The Marines don't know yet if they were hit with chemical weapons or not but they are taking no chances.

So far North seems to be the only reporter I have seen in full MOPP4 protective gear. Other reporters have not been in full protective gear and haven't been "doing the funky chicken" from skin exposure to nerve agents. So I don't think a chemical agent was used.

Update 10, 5:20am, 3-20-03:

Fox News is now reporting that a small Iraqi aircraft, possibly a UAV, has crashed near the "Freedom Base." North is out of his mask after they checked for gas. He mentoned earlier that Iraqi transporter erector launchers (TEL) firing these missiles and drones are moving under the cover of a sand storm.

Update 11, 5:35am, 3-20-03:

The Freep is reporting from various sources that we didn't get Saddam.

Iraqis are surrendering. It is unclear how many and in one instance it is reported that some tried to surrender to a Preditor UAV.

Turkey is not allowing us to use Incirlik to support operations in Northern Iraq. That is a major error on their part.

The Secret Service is getting a work out. Anti-war protestors have apparently showed up outside Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's home in northern D.C. with baby sized, red stained coffins.

Update 12, 5:45an, 3-20-03:

I am off to gym and then work, so this update is the last one. This thread on the Free Republic seems to be their spot report threat. Double click the "last" link to get the latest reports.