U.S. says exercise by Israel seemed directed at Iran

iht ^ | June 20, 2008 | By Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt

[Flavius]

WASHINGTON: Israel carried out a major military exercise earlier this month that American officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Several American officials said the Israeli exercise appeared to be an effort to develop the military's capacity to carry out long-range strikes and to demonstrate the seriousness with which Israel views Iran's nuclear program.

More than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighters participated in the maneuvers, which were carried out over the eastern Mediterranean and over Greece during the first week of June, American officials said.

[Flavius]

m'kay

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[InvisibleChurch]

[NoKoolAidforMe]

Wish they’d just do it already.

[Perdogg]

Israel is not going to do anything, except hand over the Golan heights to Syria, until Olmert is out and that will not be until January.

[Gay State Conservative]

I ain’t no military strategist but can Israel really pull this off just with their Air Force? One would think that,given the magnitude (and importance) of the job,they might have to use a few ICBMs.

[caisson71]

If Israel has the will, they will find the way. Remember when we used to say that about America?

[river rat]

If Israel pulls this off successfully — against both Iran and Syria, and whomever else gets in their way, I would seriously consider applying for dual citizenship as a Christian Israeli.

[Rembrandt]

It would be marvelous to read a report that said “it appears (or disappears) that Israel has been granted a loan of a stealth bomber. After all, nobody saw any plane coming or going but Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities are toasted.”

Who to blame?

[bruinbirdman]

"If Israel pulls this off successfully "

Before or after the election but before Jan. 21.?

yitbos

[RichInOC]

KATZ: HOW ARE YOU GENTLEMEN!!
KATZ: DESTRUCTION ARE ON THE WAY TO YOU.
KATZ: HA HA HA HA....

[montag813]

What f**king traitorous Administration scumbags leaked this info? This top security data helps only one entity: Iran. Bush needs to find out who did it and bring them up on charges.

Unfortunately I think we all know whose office leaked this.
Hint: Uncle Ben's Wild _____.

[SmithL]

I dunno. This sure seems like a “can you hear me now?” message, directed at Iran.

[BurbankKarl]

For the Syrian raid they turned off the countries entire communications and air defense systems via a hack.....

This exercise was done with open comms and such a large number of aircraft, they expect it to get leaked. Expect a much different attack when it actually happens.

[cookcounty]

"I ain’t no military strategist but can Israel really pull this off just with their Air Force? One would think that,given the magnitude (and importance) of the job,they might have to use a few ICBMs."

They contracted to buy a few hundred top-o-the-line non-nuke, deep bunker-busters 2 years ago. I would guess those have now been delivered.

Israel also now possesses the F-16I ER (Extended Range advanced F-16).

It would cost them, but they could put a significant hurt on the Iran nuke program. Or maybe they would take the very easy indirect route: Destroy the Kharg Island tanker terminal, where almost all Iranian oil is exported from. Talk about sanctions!

[BurbankKarl]

There are all kinds of weird things going on.

Blackwater buying one of these from Brazil.

Armed German Tornados at US Bases...

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Looky,,,mmmmmmmmmmmm...

[Allegra]

Iran?

Why would anybody have any animosity toward Iran?

[Danae]

Iran =

[Danae]

Me too. Sick of the Pussy attitude of the US government really, not to mention the kow-towing to the freakin PRESS!.................. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr........