Posted on 04/28/2010 11:45:15 PM PDT by dr_who
WASHINGTON – A U.S. military official says the Navy had a close encounter with an Iranian surveillance jet last week in the Gulf of Oman.
The official says the jet buzzed a Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Eisenhower, coming within about 1,000 yards of the ship. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said the April 21 incident occurred in international waters.
The jet was described as a maritime patrol aircraft generally used for surveillance.
The official says "there was nothing threatening about the aircraft itself or how it presented itself."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Bush would have had it shot down which is what should have happened.
This administration is the ruin of us all.
A high speed pass with an F-18 across the length of that aircraft would have convinced them that it was a bad idea.
I wonder if the Navy is under orders from BHO not to take any action that would “offend” Iran. If a large Iranian plane can get that close to one of our A/C carriers, that is definitely cause for concern.
This happens a lot more frequently than you know. It just doesn’t make the news. We had Russian and East German Migs fly over our radar site in West Germany several times while I was stationed there in the late 70s and early 80s. They would come across the border very low at high speed, shoot photos, and be back over the border before our jets could scramble from Sembach or Ramstein.
SOP. Flybys by MPAs are common occurances on deployments. We do not own the sea. They have a right to fly just as we have a right to...
And it is not a jet. It is a P-3. Iranian flybys happen at least once a week.
In the evil empire days it was standard to be flown on by Soviet MPAs 2-3 times a week while in the North Arabian Sea.
PS It would have been under escort during that flyby. Intercept and escort of such flybys is also SOP.
Obama’s ROE is probably to smile and wave until a missle sinks a ship, then call for an immediate UN emergency session followed by a strongly worded resolution.
I believe that you have called it! BHO must have ordered the Navy to do nothing in the event of an attack.
Really, I've seen that P-3 with mine own eyes in the air..
No it didn’t. Flybys in international waters are normal activities. Legal activities. The reporter is making much to do about a routine event that happens 2-3 times a week...
1000 yards was the report.
A half mile away.
1000 feet is the safe limit but, there is no legal restriction.
Wrong. This happens 2-3 times a week.
The P-3s are still flying. Grey and black market parts are readily available. Seen them enough over the years. And heard all the pundants claiming they couldn’t be still flying, yet there they are...
It was a legal action. Flybys like that have been going on for decades. SOP is to escort them and track.
Even the link is gone. This thread doesn't exist and we're not here.
That was a perfect answer
Been working with P-3’s for about 30 years now and hope to retire when the aircraft does...
Yes there’s numerous FMS countries that do fly them and the USN still has 100+ (different variants) flying around till about 2016 for some(P-8 takes over)and 2020+ for others. Iran’s aren’t...
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=58966
Official Praises Crew’s Response to Iranian Aircraft
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2010 – Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell today credited the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for its disciplined response last week when an Iranian military aircraft flew within 1,000 yards of it in the Gulf of Oman.
An Iranian navy maritime patrol aircraft flew near the carrier April 21 as it had finished routine replenishment-at-sea operations, a Navy official confirmed on background. The aircraft remained in the area for about 20 minutes before it flew away.
The incident occurred as Iranian forces were preparing to conduct exercises in the Gulf.
Morrell played down the incident, saying close encounters aren’t all that unusual in the narrow, heavily trafficked Strait of Hormuz. “We operate there. They operate there. Lots of people operate there,” he said. “I don’t think … our crews were alarmed by it. I don’t think anybody [at the Pentagon] is too worked up about it.”
There’s been no communication between the United States and Iran about the incident, but Morrell said if the military wanted to contact the Iranians about the incident it would find a way to do so. “But I don’t think it is of concern to the Navy … nor anybody else in this building,” he said.
Morrell said the Eisenhower crew’s restraint during the incident speaks volumes.
“Thankfully, our crews are incredibly well trained, incredibly disciplined,” he said. “And they are very aware of the rules of engagement and the procedures that … should be taken in circumstances like this, and do an incredible job at avoiding … risks of accidental or incidental conflict.”
Related Sites:
Briefing Video
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.