Posted on 07/22/2008 11:14:20 AM PDT by Maceman
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Russia would cross "a red line for the United States of America" if it were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba, a top US air force officer warned on Tuesday.
"If they did I think we should stand strong and indicate that is something that crosses a threshold, crosses a red line for the United States of America," said General Norton Schwartz, nominated to be the air force's chief of staff.
He was referring to a Russian news report that said the military is thinking of flying long-range bombers to Cuba on a regular basis.
It was unclear from the report whether that would involve permanent basing of nuclear bombers in Cuba, or just use of the island as a refueling stop.
In his confirmation hearing to become the air force's chief of staff, Schwartz was asked what he would recommend if Russia were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba.
"I would certainly offer the best military advice that we engage the Russians not to pursue that approach," he said.
The newspaper Iszvestia on Monday cited an unnamed senior Russian air force official in Moscow as saying that Russia may start regular flights by long-range bombers to Cuba in response to US plans to install a missile defense system in eastern Europe.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Obama says it’s ok, so what’s the deal?
He does? I'd think it would be his big chance to play JFK. He could order a "non-aggressive" Naval blockade. ;-)
Missiles of October again.
Inform the Russians that any temporary OR permanent basing of nuclear capable bombers in Cuba will result in the immediate retargeting of each and every nuclear warhead in the United States inventory on their original Cold War targets, and reiterate and affirm that our land based missile posture will be “launch on warning”, meaning that if the Russians are stupid enough to lob any missiles in our direction, those missiles will find nothing but empty silos upon arrival.
Likewise, begin aggressive ASW efforts and pinging the living Hell out of every Soviet (errr, ‘Russian’, right) boomer that is lurking around ANYwhere in the world.
And when those ancient TU-95 Bear bombers come poking around our national borders, scramble our interceptors with orders to arm and lock on their weapons and be sure those Russian pilots (the ones that will be crapping their pants) know about it.
No more Mr. Nice Guy.
Agreed.
We (TAA) has been preaching this for years. DO NOT TRUST THE RUSSIANS.
No one has listened.
Until now.
Wing attack. Plan R.
If I’m not mistaken the Russians had sold or based MiG 23’s in Cuba. MiG-23’s were essentially equivalent to F-111’s & therefore probably nuclear-capable. As others have stated, Tu-95 Bears have made runs down our coastline to Cuba. While they are mostly maritime surveillance systems now, how could you really know what that big sucker is carrying?
Reminds me of my Catholic school days when the nuns would tell us to duck underneath our desks and face away from nearby New York City during one of the many air raid tests.
I can still remember the wailing of those sirens.
I was living in Phoenix,AZ. during those times. I also remember the sound of the siren as I sat wide eyed under my desk. I was thinking what good is this if the school is on fire. I had no concept of nuclear weapons.
Our ASW assets are a shadow of their former Cold War level. The S-3s are gone. Most P-3 squadrons have been disbanded. Much of the SOSUS network has been decommissioned. Not much left to ping the living hell with.
bump
I very much doubt our government has the will to face down the Russians on this or much of anything else. I hope I am wrong. I suppose we will find out sooner or later.
Bring it Russki bastards!
You are not alone, I have been preaching it as well. It would be wise for us all to be prepared, it is not a matter of if, but when.
It depends upon who is elected President!
Elect me president and the runway will have craters in it when they arrive.
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