Policing the Zones

The newly expanded “no-fly” zone takes U.S. air patrols north to within 30 miles of Baghdad. The zone, which was put into effect noon Wednesday (2 a.m. PDT), is off-limits to Iraqi aircraft. Here is how the area, and the other excluision zone in the north, are being monitored by U.S. and allied planes:

* From Turkey: F-16C Falcons out of Incirlik air base

* From Saudi Arabia: F-16C Falcons out of Dhahran

* Aircraft: The 270 aircraft in the Gulf region are split this way:

Air Force: 74%

Navy: 26%

* High Above: Satellites relay ground activity to command center in gulf; AWACS plane monitors troop and weapons movement

* Northern “no-fly” zone: Set up by United Nations to protect Kurds from the Iraqis

* Southern “no-fly” zone: Set up by U.S. and allies to protect Shiite nomads from Iraqis

* From Persian Gulf: Navy F-14s, F/A-18s or EA6Bs coming off carriers

* Size comparison: A pilot in an F-16 could cover the distance between Iraq’s southern border and Baghdad in about 9 minutes.

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WEDNESDAY DEVELOPMENTS

* U.S. officials reported some movement today of Iraqi troops in the north, as demanded by President Clinton.

* An Iraqi air defense battery beamed its radar at an American warplane. The F-16 jet fighter retaliated with a HARM missile.

* Iraqi MIGs approached U.S. planes from the north, but both of them turned back before they got to the 33rd parallel.

* More than half the Iraqi MiG jets stationed at airbases in the south have moved north.

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FIRST STRIKE

* Monday: Four weapon and radar sites struck near the Tallil air base.

Why: To punish Iraqi President Saddam Hussein for moving troops into Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Iraq.

* Casualties: Five Iraqis were killed, the Pentagon confirmed. Iraq said a missile hit a housing complex, but the Pentagon denied it.

* Tuesday: Missiles hit two unspecified sites from the first strike.

Why: To destroy targets missed in the first strike.

* Casualties: None confirmed by Pentagon

Quote

“We shall defend our sovereignty with our nails and teeth.”

Iraqi newspaper Babel

Sources: U.S. European Command, Associated Press, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft, Times staff