Posted on 04/21/2010 8:51:23 AM PDT by jhpigott
In a meeting with students at West Virginia University, a young pilot asked the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Army, Mike Malen, to comment on rumors that if Israel decides to attack Iran, its fighters will need to cross Iraq's airspace to reach their targets. The U.S. military has described this airspace as closed to flights. If so, would American forces shoot down Israeli planes flying over Iraq?
Malen's reply: "We have a strong exceptional relationship with Israel. I spent much time with my colleagues in Israel. And so we have a very clear understanding of where we are. Beyond that, I just would not want to get into speculation about what might happen and who might do what. Frankly, I do not think it serves any purpose. I hope that the issue will be resolved in the way which will never have to answer a question like this. "
(Excerpt) Read more at israelnationalnews.com ...
GOOD for Col. Lakin - he refuses to take orders from BHO.
So, tell us again about the “evil” Republicans, Mr. Dershowitz.
“In the George W. Bush administration there would be no doubt whatsoever that we would never shoot down Israeli planes”
I’m trying to think of the downsides of letting our intentions be public and known ahead of time. If we truly thought Iranian nukes were “unacceptable” (which I believe Obama has said more than once), we should be willing to say that while our preference and hope is that this can be resolved peacefully through use of tough sanctions, we also stand prepared to be full partners with Israel and whatever NATO members want to join us in whatever military action to ensure Iran does not secure nuclear weapons.
After all, we now know Saddam invaded Kuwait because of a tragic strategic miscalculation. He erroneously believed that the U.S. had “signaled” that it would not intervene were Iraq to use military force against its neighbor. I’mANutJob can rant and rave all he wants about our “belligerent” posture, but I cannot envision how our boldly articulating our intentions and capabilities would increase rather than decrease the odds that Iran goes nuclear.
Speaking of the Israelis finding a way, have you read Vince Flynn’s “Protect and Defend”?
It’s very hard for them to choose between a long standing US ally and Obambi’s muslim dictator friends.
How do you say “**** you sir!” in aviator slang?
That all looks very interesting, but it is difficult to read the posting when it is in red and underlined. Not trying to be a posting police type, but a linked headline with an excerpt following would be very much appreciated, rather than ignored as is the case currently. Thank you.
Israel won’t use planes, they have missiles on submarines.....where...they transited the Suez early this year....where are they....loitering in the Arabian Sea......
Look, Ma, no planes!
I think the young pilot has received serious counseling by his commander regarding raising such a question in an open forum. He will have a short career
I apologize for not being able to relate your reply to my comment. Can you help me out?
I believe he had to. Otherwise, the Queen would have removed two.
No harm my friend.
Well, if you are going to spread stories, you should make sure your facts ar above speculation as to their validity. One silly mis-referencing of a type of airplane leads to the plausible conclusion that you may be completely full of crap.
Same here. I usually like to post a comment when the thought strikes me rather than reading 150 other comments first.
Our Air Force might, and I repeat MIGHT, be able to take down an Israely plane if it was about 10 to 1. Or an Israely pilot might crash his plane because he is laughing so hard at the US pilots.
Israel already has an agreement with one of the Gulf states to forward base submarines.
Radio transcripts prove taht the Israelis thought it was a SOVIET ship. And this was the fault of the NSA. Israel had requested a naval liaison, but were denied. Had thee been one, no such acidental misidentification would have occurred. LBJ had promised the Israelis to keep our ships west of Cyprus. The NSA placed an American ship into a war zone, after we lied to at least one party. As far as I am concerned, someone at the NSA should have been tried for murder. But No Such Agency is never held accountable.
Don't forget tht Israel attacked the ship b/c they din't want the world to know THEY initiated the Six-Day War, and not the Egyptians like they claimed. Additionally, the Israelis were using tank main guns against civilians. So the United Arab republic did not close the Red Sea and did not shell Israel?
Tank guns against civilians? You are not even quoting the hack Bamford properly. His thesis is taht Israel attacked the liberty to hide a massacre of Egyptian troops. (No such massacre occurred)
Also, Amerian troops aboard the ship waved at the IDF pilots, when the pilots banked and opened fire. Thinking that the Israelis didn't recognize the ship as American, the American troops lowered the flag on the ship and put up a bigger one..... the Israelis banked and opened fire again.
Look up the attack on the HMS Sheffield by pilots from the HMS Ark Royal and get back to me.
The ship's captain requsted F-16 support from American stationed in Saudi Arabia; the response was the jets were en-route. The Israelis left the area to avid air to air conflict with American pilots. Fortunately, the Israelis never realized that the F-16s did not receive runway/tower/air space clearance from the Saudis.
Oy vey!
There were no F-16s in 1967. There were no American fighters in Saudia Arabia in 1967. You don't know what the he!! you are talking about.
A gag order was placed against the entire crew of the USS Liberty. The Israelis claimed they mistook the ship for an Egyptian one.......that was not comparable in size or appearnce to the USS Liberty. US servicemen that were wounded, blinded, maimed, and the families of those killed, filed a lawsuit against the Israeli government but could not proceed because of the offical gag order...... the captain of the USS Liberty broke his silence on his deathbed something like 20 years after the incident.
Idiot. This was investigated three times!
It is a very well researched and informative book concerning some of the US' intelligence successes and failures.
Actually, it's a fraud.
A blockade is an act of war under international law. End of discussion.
If youd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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