AF General Welcomes Saudi JDAM Sale

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AF General Welcomes Saudi JDAM Sale
Aviation Week's DTI | Amy Butler | January 17, 2008

The top officer commanding U.S. air forces in Iraq says he's "not concerned" about the Pentagon's proposal to send precision guided munitions, including penetrators, to Saudi Arabia.

USAF Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander of air forces in U.S. Central Command, made his comments at a breakfast on Capitol Hill Jan. 15 in response to a question from a member of Sen. Richard Durbin's (D-IL) staff.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the sale, which is worth up to $123 million, Jan. 15 during President Bush's whirlwind trip through the Middle East to turn up pressure on Iran.

The sale includes up to 550 500-lb. GBU 38s, 250 2,000 lb. GBU-31s and 100 BLU-109 penetrators. They are suitable to attack underground bunkers and command posts. Congress has up to 30 days to oppose the sale.

Many on Capitol Hill have voiced angst or even opposition to the Saudi sales, unveiled last summer, for fear over how U.S.-borne precision munitions could be used against Israelis some day. Bush administration officials - following the president's trip - have reinvigorated their advocacy for arming Arab allies in recent days (DAILY, Jan. 15).


rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,160268,00.html