Posted on 06/28/2010 11:30:28 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
On June 12th, Israeli UAV technicians and instructors were recalled from Turkey, where they were training Turkish troops on how to operate and maintain five Israeli Heron UAVs. The Israeli personnel were withdrawn because it was believed they might be attacked. The Turkish government has become increasingly anti-Israel in the last six years. The Islamic politicians, who were elected in 2002, have adopted an anti-Israel, anti-West attitude, and strive to increase their stature in the Islamic world. Until 1924, the Sultan of the Turks was the Caliph (technically, the leader of all Moslems). But in the 1920s, Turkey turned itself into a secular state. Although Turkey became a major economic power in the Middle East, with one of the best educated populations, it was still hobbled by corruption and mismanagement. The Islamic politicians promised to attack the corruption (which they have) and return religion to a central place in Turkish culture (in progress). This has upset a lot of secular Turks. But it's fashionable to hate Israel these days, over their efforts to cope with Palestinian terrorism. The Turks had ordered ten Herons six years ago, but delivery was delayed because of problems with the Turkish made sensor package. Meanwhile, the Turks are still fighting Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq, and really need those UAVs. Three years ago, the Israeli manufacturer made an interim deal to supply Israeli (without the Turkish sensors) Herons, along with support personnel, on a $10 million lease. But now those Herons are inoperable, and the Turks have turned to locally made IHA UAVs, which are much less effective.
The Heron Shoval UAVs are very similar to the American Predator A (or MQ-1). The Shoval weighs about the same (1.2 tons), and has the same endurance (40 hours). Shoval has a slightly higher ceiling (30,000, versus 25,000 feet) and software which allows it to automatically take off, carry out a mission, and land automatically. Not all American large UAVs can do this. Both Predator and Shoval cost about the same ($5 million), although the Israelis are willing to be flexible on price. The Shoval does have a larger wingspan (16.5 meters/51 feet) than the Predator (13.2 meters/41 feet) and a payload of about 137 kg/300 pounds
Ping
Turkey?
Israel should have known better.....And i’m sure they did.
It’s unbelievable we have a member of NATO openly antagonistic to Israel.
What is even worse, is that at Incirlik Air Base(home of the 39th Air Base Wing) there are 60-90 B-61 gravity bombs each with a nominal yield of 300-340 kilotons. Right now, the weapons are stored within a vault in Hardened Aircraft Shelters, using the USAF WS3 Weapon Storage and Security System.Fifty of these bombs are reportedly assigned for delivery by U.S. pilots, and forty are assigned for delivery by the Turkish Air Force. However, no permanent nuclear-capable U.S. fighter wing is based at Incirlik, and the Turkish Air Force is reportedly not certified for NATO nuclear missions, meaning nuclear-capable F-16s from other U.S. bases would need to be brought in if Turkey’s bombs were ever needed.This is called nuclear sharing.They do not have the PAL/cyptographic codes for the bombs.
Lotta smoke out there,Son,,,
I have to wonder if Israel is getting ready for a strike
on Iran,,,
Why else would Israel pull those people out,,,?
They are hostile now.Turkey should be kicked out of NATO and those nukes pulled out to a country that is more hospitable.
Just following Obama’s lead. Actions have consequences, as our President well knows.
Maybe they should have known better, but you don’t diss a major Muslim power that endorses your right to exist.
Wouldn't surprise me if they tried to activate Article V of the NATO Treaty when Israel rightfully responds.
Please God, don't let 0bama be in office when that happens...
I do not think that too many countries would come to its aid.
We are serious trouble in terms of Turkey's government. Now we have a bunch of overzealous, radicalized Muslim extremists who are one call to arms from being terrorists. If the Turkish electors can't get their house in order and return to secular government, then the United States should begin to put distance between our former Cold War ally, beginning with removing "favored trade status" with them. Economics is by far the most powerful weapon in a nation's arsenal, as China is clearly demonstrating to us right now.
Very true. But given 0bama’s hostility towards Israel, anything is possible.
"When will you be back?"
"I can't tell you that, it's classified."
Those nuclear weapons should definitely be taken off Muslim soil. Turkey cannot be trusted these days. Mark Steyn says the fundamentalist Turks out bred the secular/Westernized ones. This is why Turkey is going hard core Muslim slowly but surely. Steyn is blaming demographics
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
..................
He’s probably right about that. We’re seeing that same sort of thing around the globe.
Steyn is right, as usual.
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.