Posted on 06/20/2006 10:28:02 AM PDT by SmithL
As tensions with North Korea rise, three U.S. aircraft carriers filled the skies with fighters Tuesday for one of the largest U.S. military exercises in decades off this small island in the Pacific.
For the first time ever, a Chinese delegation was invited to observe the U.S. war games. As the show of American military power began, North Korea — one of the region's most unpredictable countries — was rattling swords of its own.
The maneuvers, dubbed "Valiant Shield," bring three carriers together in the Pacific for the first time since the Vietnam War. Some 30 ships, 280 aircraft and 22,000 troops will be participating in the five-day war games.
The exercises are intended to boost the ability of the Navy, Air Force and Marines to work together and respond quickly to potential contingencies in this part of the world, U.S. military officials said. Even U.S. Coast Guard vessels were participating.
"The exercises are taking place on land, sea, air, space and cyberspace," said Senior Master Sgt. Charles Ramey. "They cover the whole spectrum."
The maneuvers mark the first major operation in this remote U.S. territory about halfway between Hawaii and Japan since the announcement last month that some 8,000 Marines would be moved here from Okinawa as part of the biggest realignment of U.S. forces in Asia in decades.
Though planned months ago, they come amid heightened concern in Asia over North Korea.
Officials in the United States, South Korea and Japan say they believe North Korea is preparing to test launch a Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic missile. The missile is believed to be able to reach the western United States.
Pyongyang shocked Tokyo by launching a Taepodong that flew over Japan's main island in 1998. North Korea claimed the launch successfully placed a satellite in orbit,...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
I expect just one Boomer could do the job but probably there are a few within easy reach.
If any with authority answered that, you would have to be killed. :)
Unlike the Boomer that I used to ride from Guam, today's SSBNs are within easy reach from almost anywhere.
So the exercise is planned, the Chinese are invited and lo and behold, NK decides to run a missile launch.
Think the Chinese delegation is taking notes on the US response? My bet is this was all planned between China and NK.
Problem now is, how does Kim stand down with a fully fueled missile?
No more than 8.
Easy, just launch inland.
; )
He can save face and claim he was only testing the fueling ops and empty the tanks.
But then I'm ignorant on what it takes to launch a missile, so I'm saying this at the risk of sounding ill informed and foolish.
I agree. I believe China *instructed* NK to do this at this time to guage our response.
North Korea better make sure their innocent missle test lands where it is supposed to.I think,if not,something will hit the fan!
There's also a bunch of kc-135 stratotankers based in Alaska to refuel a B-52/2/1 airstrike.
http://www.strategypage.com/gallery/articles/military_photos_200661820929.asp
I really loved Clinton's response when NK launched a missile that flew over Japan...he did NOTHING, just as he did after the first WTC bombing, the Kenyan Embassy bombing, the USS Cole attack...truly a man of bold action.
The problem with N. Korea launching a missle that may go several thousands of miles is exactly their acuracy. I missle fired that has a trajectory error of say 2 degrees, ends up WAY off course. I am not sure they have the technology to acurately hit the ocean from 6,000 miles away. That sounds crazy, but look at a map and draw little pictures of a 6,000 mile arc.
An oopsy could end in an act of war. I could only hope.
A nice touch inviting the heathen chicoms. They seem to have been getting a little overconfident about their own capabilities and this should put things in a more realistic perspective for them.
HEY!! He was "busy" during those times!
Unlike the Boomer that I used to ride from Guam, today's SSBNs are within easy reach from almost anywhere.
Are you Larry Smith EM3 on the Blackfin (SS-322)?
Having given many courses on map reading during my tenure as an infantryman,you are very correct.I had not given that much attention to detail.It brought back many memories of dumbells who did not understand that very fact.Not to diss officers,but many were arrogant,and they did not understand that those few degrees off,even a few kliks,could spell disaster for their own men when calling for fire.During training,many of the maps we were issued were older versions.Certain calculations had to be made to correct them.The calculations were specified on the map itself.Due north would have to be adjusted accordingly.If the map was five years old for instance,Due north would be x amount of degrees adjusted to compensate for the earths polarity.Enlisted men who may have to take their turn in case of an emergency understood that.A mistake could very well rain doom upon themselves.They were harder to train,but eager to get it right!I was in many situations where I was belittled by an officer who thought he knew what to do,and being an NCO,I was considered beneath him.It only took a few training maneuvers where they were off by a mile to convince them.Actually it was the ass chewing from their superiors to convince them they needed to get it together or else!I always knew where I was,but played dumb after getting my ass chewed out in the ORP.My men would get angry at first until they realized what lay in store for the nitwit know it all!Usually it only took being totally lost for them to realize the error of their ways!As you said,a few degrees off at that distance could mean disaster for whoever is on the other end,wherever that may be!Even a few degrees off on the ground going a long distance[10 kliks for example]meant ending up somewhere you did NOT want to be!Do you think the higher ups know that?!I sure hope so,but sometimes I wonder!
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