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2013-06-17 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

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Posted by Pappy 2013-06-17 00:00|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top

#1 So-called NO FLY ZONE aircraft must have an defensive capability. Permitting one's aircraft to be fired upon [either from the air or ground] with impunity is very dangerous. During Operations North and Southern Watch in Iraq, then MG Kieth Alexander [yes, same guy] was the Central Command J2 at Prince Sultan Air Base, SA. Alexander had much to do with the identification and neutralization of Iraqi anti-aircraft sites and radars which were targeted and destroyed. His actions and those of the USAF No-Fly Zone pilots paid big dividends for the second Gulf War.

Of course our friends and staunch allies the Turks insisted planes fired upon return fire immediately vs a Northern Watch follow-on planned attack from Insirlik. Southern Watch flyers simply poured on the gas and returned to Prince Sultan Air Base [PSAB], where a post mission follow-on strike would be planned and executed. SA had no such qualms about strike missions out of PSAB.

It got so bad for the Iraqi anti-aircraft batteries, that gunners would let the Allied aircraft pass by... fire a few obligatory rounds for their officers, then beat feet away from their Russian made radars vans and guns as quickly as possible.

I can remember one very tense Video Tele-Conference [VTC] where Alexander dressed down a senior USAF officer quite severely for failing to execute a counterstrike to Alexander's liking. Not a pleasant morning for that officer I assure you.

The conduct of No Fly Zones can be hazardous. April 14th, 1994 was one very sad day. Also, a very tense time for UN inspection teams in Iraq, I assure you.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-06-17 03:40|| 2013-06-17 03:40|| Front Page Top

#2 I knew you weren't a Chaplain.
:)

Posted by Shipman 2013-06-17 04:02|| 2013-06-17 04:02|| Front Page Top

#3 No Ship, certainly not. But I am praying we don't get involved in another senseless, middle eastern cock-up.

Posted by Besoeker 2013-06-17 04:11|| 2013-06-17 04:11|| Front Page Top

#4 I really don't see a down-side to letting them slaughter each other. Sorry.

Posted by Muggsey Mussolini 2013-06-17 11:00|| 2013-06-17 11:00|| Front Page Top

#5 The Zero rushes in, where heroes fear to tread.

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2013-06-17 18:04|| 2013-06-17 18:04|| Front Page Top

#6 Maybe there is some sort of coordination here. Russia will back Syria and we will back the Rebels - but neither side will back their side enough to actually win - only prolong the fighting allow them to pile up the carnage and lance the boil.

Nah! Biden would have blabbed it all over the networks by now to show how 'involved' he is....

Posted by CrazyFool 2013-06-17 18:13|| 2013-06-17 18:13|| Front Page Top

23:56 Shipman
23:05 JosephMendiola
22:59 Thing From Snowy Mountain
22:56 JosephMendiola
22:49 JosephMendiola
22:42 JosephMendiola
22:36 JosephMendiola
22:35 Winky Sproing5899
22:30 Winky Sproing5899
20:05 USN,ret
20:04 Redneck Jim
19:59 badanov
19:57 AlanC
19:55 JosephMendiola
19:52 AlanC
19:50 Alaska Paul
19:48 Alaska Paul
19:46 JosephMendiola
19:41 USN,ret
19:29 swksvolFF
18:55 Frank G
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18:47 Frank G