THE United States Air Force has set up a highly confidential strategic
planning group tasked with “fighting the next war” as tensions rise with
Iran.
Project Checkmate, a successor to the group that planned the 1991 Gulf War’s
air campaign, was quietly reestablished at the Pentagon in June.
It reports directly to General Michael Moseley, the US Air Force chief, and
consists of 20-30 top air force officers and defence and cyberspace experts
with ready access to the White House, the CIA and other intelligence
agencies.
Detailed contingency planning for a possible attack on Iran has been carried
out for more than two years by Centcom (US central command), according to
defence sources.
It is led by Brigadier-General Lawrence “Stutz” Stutzriem, who is considered
one of the brightest air force generals. He is assisted by Dr Lani Kass, a
former Israeli military officer and expert on cyberwarfare.
clipped from www.timesonline.co.uk
|