Posted on 05/16/2006 9:48:51 AM PDT by Lunatic Fringe
Yeah, that's pretty much it. Our newer versions of our 16s and other current aircraft with the most modern systems should also be able to "brush them out of the way with much difficulty" as well. LOL
A couple of decades is often several generations in avionics and weapons technologies. We saw how far things progressed from GW1 to the War in Iraq. Huge delta.
You're misquoting.
I'm also sure they'd have a nice smelly, mushy cushion under their arses to if confronted by the best that the West has to offer. I'm sure we wouldn't send in our F-4s. LOL
My first thought too. In fact, those jets should be taken out now just for Chavez even considering it.
South America is boiling over....Ecuador, Bolivia both seizing energy assets from foreigh investors, Brazil with its riots, Venezuela with its threats.
Wait til that socialist Mexico City mayor gets elected President.
They were much more interested in partying than in learning flying. They do not take criticism well. They were pleasant enough but could not focus unless they were about to die. Never saw one in prayer although all were Muslim.
Hugo's F-16's are based on 35-year old technology and are obsolete, not to mention barely functional due to a lack of spare parts...
Exactly my first thought. Dumb & dumber.
Yup, hanger queens.
You nailed that one.
It's weird to think there might be time I'd applaud the "downing"
(rather, drowning) of some F-16s.
As I recall, the last time the Iranians took over American weapons systems, nothing was operable after about 3 to 6 months.
At any rate, a more workable solution would be to take them out while they are on the ground in Venezuela and maybe the rest of their "air force" while we are at it.
I'd like to read about it in the papers, but paying a good $49.95 to see a white streak zoom into the horizon then see a little flash like a mosquito hitting the skeeter trap, is well, not worth the expense.
One thing that is bothersome, if Iran turns the F-16s into pilotless bomber drones. If an F-16 is flying low and fast and not responding to radio or Friend or Foe requests, it would only take a few minutes for the F-16 to reach a target across the Persian Gulf. US chain of command might not respond fast enough to the questionable threat. Assymetric attacks like that would only work once, but the first and only wave could cause serious damage to US bases in Qatar or elsewhere within close range of Iran.
The decision announced Monday may be largely symbolic because Chavez has been buying the bulk of his weapons, including attack and transport helicopters, patrol boats and military transport airplanes, from Russia and Spain.
The first batch of 33 Russian helicopters arrived in Venezuela last month, and 33,000 of the 100,000 Russian Kalashnikov assault rifles that Chavez bought are expected this month. Caracas is also finalizing a deal with Spain to purchase eight military patrol boats and 10 military transport planes, and ramping up the training of a 2.5-million-member militia to fight a ``war of resistance'' against any U.S. invaders.
But the U.S. ban underlined Washington's increasingly sour view of Chavez as a ruler who has been undermining democracy in his oil-exporting country, regularly attacking the Bush administration and trying to export his leftist-populist ideology to
Maybe the Iranian's want to bomb some sites in their own country and leave behind a signature of American technology sdoasto make it look like we did it.
All their bait and bluster has failed to draw us in so far andmaybe they fear waiting any longer so they will stoop to this level trying to make the evil west look bad.
It would be interesting if the entire squadron got shot down during the commute to Iran. ;)
"How well-maintained are they?"
Not Very
"Are Iranian pilots any good?"
Not Very
"Do they have spare parts?"
Not many
During the Iran-Iraq War, the Iranians were using the F-14's for AWACS planes. I can't imagine they are worth anything now.
CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuela is considering selling its fleet of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to another country, perhaps Iran, in response to a U.S. ban on arms sales to President Hugo Chavez's government, a military official said Tuesday.
Gen. Alberto Muller, a senior adviser to Chavez, told The Associated Press he had recommended to the defense minister that Venezuela consider selling the 21 jets to another country.
Muller said he thought it was worthwhile to consider "the feasibility of a negotiation with Iran for the sale of those planes."
Even before the U.S. announced the ban on arms sales Monday, Washington had stopped selling Venezuela sensitive upgrades for the F-16s.
Chavez has previously warned he could share the U.S. jets with Cuba if Washington does not supply parts for the planes. He also has said he may look into buying fighter jets from Russia or China instead.
You mean sunk. They would be going by boat.
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