3d model of Baghdad? (mid east,other)

[ZeroHaven]

I found this while looking for stuff, and it seemed weird/suspicious so I'm sharing.<br>What's weird is the 3d model data is obviously old, but from <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.ntsc.navy.mil/EBusiness/BusOps/Forecast/files/Awarded_Contracts_Processing_FY04.doc" target="top">this document</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> it seems the contract was awarded in 2004.<br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.metavr.com/casestudies/baghdadviews.html" target="top">MetaVR Delivers Iraq 3D Databases to Combat Studies Institute</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>The Combat Studies Institute (CSI), an academic department within the Combined Arms Center at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, recently received from MetaVR 3D terrain of areas in and around Baghdad, Iraq. The Baghdad databases, or “virtual views” as CSI refers to them, will be used to create enhanced warfighter training experiences and opportunities prior to deployment.</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> <br>...<br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>CSI will use the 3D terrain to conduct virtual staff rides of selected Baghdad case studies as part of professional development training for U.S. Army officers.</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><br><br>I've done this kind of work first-hand, so the software doesn't really look spectacular - although the price they charged is!<br><br>Guess this could be proof of long-term plans to stay? Something is really bugging me about it and I don't know what. <p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a239/ZeroHaven/tinhat.gif"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></p><i></i>

[hanshan]

<br><br>ZeroHaven:<br><br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>Something is really bugging me about it and I don't know what.</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> <br><br>Could it be this? Or is it just the crappy graphics?<br><br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>(There is no plan ( long-term or otherwise) to <br>pull out of Iraq)</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Chicago Tribune March 23, 2004</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> <br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2004/040323-enduring-bases.htm" target="top"><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>14 `enduring bases' set in Iraq<br>Long-term military presence planned</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--></a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br><br>By Christine Spolar <br><br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>From the ashes of abandoned Iraqi army bases, U.S. military engineers are overseeing the building of an enhanced system of American bases designed to last for years. <br>Last year, as troops poured over the Kuwait border to invade Iraq, the U.S. military set up at least 120 forward operating bases. Then came hundreds of expeditionary and temporary bases that were to last between six months and a year for tactical operations while providing soldiers with such comforts as e-mail and Internet access. <br>Now U.S. engineers are focusing on constructing 14 "enduring bases," long-term encampments for the thousands of American troops expected to serve in Iraq for at least two years. The bases also would be key outposts for Bush administration policy advisers. <br>As the U.S. scales back its military presence in Saudi Arabia, Iraq provides an option for an administration eager to maintain a robust military presence in the Middle East and intent on a muscular approach to seeding democracy in the region. The number of U.S. military personnel in Iraq, between 105,000 and 110,000, is expected to remain unchanged through 2006, according to military planners. <br>"Is this a swap for the Saudi bases?" asked Army Brig. Gen. Robert Pollman, chief engineer for base construction in Iraq. "I don't know. ... When we talk about enduring bases here, we're talking about the present operation, not in terms of America's global strategic base. But this makes sense. It makes a lot of logical sense."</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> <br><br> <p></p><i></i>