ABU DHABI Ñ The United States has launched a major command and
control exercise in Qatar that has been termed as the most advanced ever by
the military.
Over the weekend, Central Command conducted what officials termed a
warm-up session of the computer-based simulation of what is expected to
realistic scenarios of any campaign against Iraq. This is the first time
that Internal Look has been held outside the United States, Middle East Newsline reported.
Officials and visiting members of Congress who attended the rehearsal
for the exercise have called Internal Look the most advanced non-combat
exercise by the U.S. military. They said the exercise deploys the latest
technology in command, control and digital communications.
Two U.S. senators arrived for the start of the Internal Look exercise on
Monday. Sen. Joseph Biden, the outgoing chairman of the Foreign Relations
Committee, and Sen. Chuck Hagel, a committee member, toured Qatar's A-
Sayliyah military base and were briefed by U.S. Central Command chief Gen.
Tommy Franks.
Biden confirmed that Internal Look was part of U.S. military
preparations for the expected war against Iraq. The exercise will last a
week and test a new mobile command center in the emirate that can link
military facilities in the United States and the Persian Gulf.
"I have never seen as much coordination, as much use of our technology,"
Biden said after the classified briefing. "I have never seen as much
discipline as I've seen in this operation. To the extent that people thought
we were prepared for the first Gulf War, as they say where I come from, they
ain't see nothin' yet."
"We are in the final stages of preparations," Central Command spokesman
Maj. Bill Harrison said.
The two-day warm-up, termed "Rock Drill," involved 1,000 U.S. soldiers
and 400 British military personnel. The warm-up was held in a conference
room at A-Sayliyah base.