US Flies [Nuclear Capable] B-52 Bombers Near Disputed Islands Claimed By China

The Hill ^ | 11/12/15 | Kristina Wong

[Spktyr]

The ex-Varyag was also not refuse, it’s just that the Russians at the time didn’t have the money to complete it.

The Chinese also have two more carriers under construction, due in 2016.

[Southack]

B-1’s are no longer nuclear capable after START.

[Spktyr]

Not with modern AA systems paired with modern radars. Even the Air Force says this, and they have to send in Wild Weasel types before the BUFFs can be sent in.

[kabar]

You miss the point. They occupy these "islands" that have been built up from existing reefs. They are not totally artificial. The installations bolster China’s foothold in the Spratly Islands, a disputed scattering of reefs and islands in the South China Sea more than 500 miles from the Chinese mainland.

Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan have all expanded islands in the Spratlys as well, but at nowhere near the same scale as China.

Here is a good article explaining what is going on: What China Has Been Building in the South China Sea

My point is that despite the disputed nature of the islands themselves, we must recognize the territory occupied by the Chinese when it comes to how close our ships and planes can pass recognizing international laws of the sea and air. We don't recognize that the entire chain is within their territorial borders. The Chinese have claimed that the entire South China sea is under their control including economic zones stretching over 200 miles.

A United States Navy destroyer entered waters near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea late Monday, Defense Department officials said, directly challenging China’s claims that the artificial island chain is within its territorial borders.

The Lassen, a guided missile destroyer, sailed within 12 nautical miles of the islands, making a long-anticipated entry into the disputed waters, an American military official said. American officials did not inform their Chinese counterparts as they planned the provocative maneuver, saying that to do so would have undercut their message.

“You don’t need to consult with any nation when you are exercising the right of freedom of navigation in international waters,” John Kirby, the State Department spokesman, said at a news conference.

So the bottom line is that we will not go nearer than 12 nautical miles of the Chinese islands per international law. Nor will we fly directly over them and violate their airspace.

[r_barton]

If we nuke U.S. companies factories in China what’s WalMart going to sell?

[WildHighlander57]

LucyT,

Ping to this post!

Thanks for oosting this, southack!

[tanknetter]

The B-52 provides an enormous amount of utility and is still
A very valuable platform.

Keep in mind that the B-52s in service now are pretty “young” aircraft in terms of remaining life and wear/tear. They are “H” model ships, with much stronger airframes designed for punishing low-level missions. Yet they spent the first half of their lives mainly sitting ground alert and not getting flown a lot.

And in the current environment they just don’t fly those missions anymore, instead being used for firing standoff weapons at high altitude, or dropping PGMs from high altitude in permissive air environments.

[eartick]

I have not finished my bunker.

Doubling the size was a mistake and slowed me down.

Just dang

[Lazamataz]

I loaded it and started it this morning but no time to play.

However, I have to say, the character-design creeped me out.

In Fallout: New Vegas, ol’ Doc Mitchell asks if he got your face right. That kinda makes sense, he’s a doctor and he just operated on you. So, sure, he could do some plastic surgery.

But in Fallout 4, your wife is BEHIND YOU WAITING FOR THE MIRROR (what, they only have one mirror per house in 2077?) and you are supposed to REARRANGE YOUR FACE WITH HER WATCHING.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

So, for my 3.5 minutes of play so far, FALLOUT 4 IS A COMPLETE *****FAIL****.

[RipSawyer]

I’m looking around for a really nice hollow tree to move into, I figure that’s the last placed they will look for me. Problem is all the really big ones seem to be in a flood zone.

[TADSLOS]

So, for my 3.5 minutes of play so far, FALLOUT 4 IS A COMPLETE *****FAIL****.

You shoulda hired a beta tester.

[Lazamataz]

So, for my 3.5 minutes of play so far, FALLOUT 4 IS A COMPLETE *****FAIL****. You shoulda hired a beta tester.

Total waste of money so far.

[TADSLOS]

Give it a few hours of play. The game play I am watching on Twitch looks pretty awesome to me.

[Lazamataz]

I cannot get past the fact that I am supposed to perform cosmetic self-surgery in front of my wife.

I want my freakin money back!@!!!!112

[TADSLOS]

I’m more concerned that you have a wife in game.

[Lazamataz]

She was forced on me. She’s not even that cute.

[TADSLOS]

Those Vaultec arranged marriages rarely work out.

[LucyT]

[Hulka]

Yes, the Harrier. . .the bomb timer for that platform is a calendar.

[Bidimus1]

A-1D Sky Raider was Nuke capable at one time too!

MK7 Nuclear Bomb

I think it could carry LULU, HOTPOINT and Betty if needs be.