Its obvious that we're about to launch a strike on Syria. So my question is simple. The Chemical Weapons can't be allowed to drift all over the Middle East (I'm talking about the weapons, not some gas....) and possibly fall into the hands of AQ, so what would it take to secure them?
I'm thinking its going to be an all hands on deck affair.
* The stockpiles are probably in several different locations.
* The dictator or his minions will probably seek to grab a few themselves before the fall as negotiating chips to a comfortable life after the fighting. AQ is already in country so it'll be a race to get their first.
* If they're in warheads or containers, Chemical Weapons are heavy. Destroy in place or move them out of country? If you attempt to move them then you're looking at a massive air or sea logistics problem.
You know I love my war fiction but in even trying to do a make believe outline of the fighting this thing is hairy. Oh and be advised. This issue is coming sooner or later...unless we leave the dictator in power. But anyway this is my order of battle for the US (hopefully we can count on the Brits, Australians, Italians, Spain, Danes, Dutch, French and damn near everyone else in this effort)....
* The entire Ranger Regiment. This is pure raid work and they do it well. But 3 Battalions of Rangers won't be enough.
* MARSOC. They're essentially maritime Rangers so they get to play in this scenario.
* 22nd MEU. Cobras used to provide cover for the Assaulters. MV-22s to carry out casualties. And the BLT to secure a beachhead if we're going to be taking the weapons out. Not sure how I'm gonna approach this. Might be better to simply destroy them in place.
* 3 Aircraft Carriers. We're going to need air cover and plenty of it. A continuous CAP with the added burden of a massive CAS effort to go with it.
I'm still trying to figure this out, but this really looks like the mission from hell.
UPDATE; Maybe I'm making it harder than it should be. Maybe we can leave it to the Air Force and drop MOABs on it.
