US Won’t Promise Won’t Shoot Down Israeli Planes

Israel National News ^

[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. "

[Paladin2]

Speculation is always so much more fun than a factual review.

[jhpigott]

I was hoping this was just some random military officer speaking out of turn, then I saw it was the Chairman of the Armed Forces

[cqnc]

USAF would read about it the next day on Drudge. Nobody caught the Syria attack except IAF let Syria think they shot down a fake radar image.

[Domandred]

I’ll say it right now, before anything happens (because more and more looks like it will).

I will not support any US troops that willingly engage in military action against Israel.

I stand with Israel.

[Paladin2]

What’s not to do in International waters?

[mkjessup]

Either the Israelis are bloodthirsty monsters or the Liberty was engaged in activity that it wasn’t supposed to.

The Liberty tragedy has been waved as a bloody rag by anyone and everyone that might have an anti-Israeli agenda in their pocket for coming up on 43 years now.

Good thing the Liberty got shot up by the Israelis, otherwise the conspiracy types and Jew-haters in general would have to keep trying to tie the 'International Jewish Conspiracy' to the blowing up of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor.

[SoldierDad]

No, he shouldn’t comment on a hypothetical question on U.S. policy. However, I’m very uncomfortable with the answer he gave. He could have (should have) just pointedly stated thaat he has no comment regarding such a hypothetical question and left it at that.

[swamprebel]

2 years ago I had a hard time imagining much of what has become the “New Reality” of the “Comrade Zero era”.
I now believe it is a grave error to underestimate or dismiss anything from the “man-child wannabe king” or his regime.

[thefactor]

The fact that he was even asked this question, though, is troubling.

[mkjessup]

Speculation is always so much more fun than a factual review.

Well by all means, give us one, you sound like you're itchin' to give those pesky Israelis a stichin'.

[444Flyer]

[Minipax]

The Chairman is in the Navy, not the Army. The Chairman’s name is Mike Mullen, not Mike Malen. Who wrote this?

[Ben Mugged]

The USAF is so thoroughly inferior to the IAF in talent that it would take a lucky shot to even nick an Israeli plane. . .

The USAF is the finest and best trained and equipped in the world. The Israeli pilots participate in Red Flag exercises over Nevada and in Top Gun and have never won either. Israelis are good but you give them far too much credit.

[jhpigott]

The most direct route would cover some Iraqi airspace, but you guys are correct, there are alternative routes, but would require going over hostile or non-allied skies

[Paladin2]

"you sound like you're itchin' to give those pesky Israelis a stichin'"

Wrong o so wise speculating mindreader. Just sayin'.

[misharu]

I would stand with the Israelis if it came to that.

And I find it ironic that a Catholic would stand with the Jews when thier own brethren here in the states won't.

[tutstar]

OMG

[Frantzie]

78% of American (liberal) Jews would probably vote for Hussein in 2012 if he went to Iran and pressed the button to nuke Tel Aviv.

50% of fake CINO Catholics would vote for him if he nuked the Vatican.

98% of African Americans love him even though his pals are slum lords who exploit black people.

[Paladin2]

"there are alternative routes"

Israel could work over Hezbollah and Syria on the way to or from the real work.

[tutstar]

gnip