[u-89]

Let me get this straight. We have spy planes flying up and down the Chinese coast, they send aircraft out just to remind us where we are and WE are pissed at them. For all of you who want to bomb China over this what would you have our planes do if the Chinese were fying surveilance aircraft just off California? Some calm perspective may be in order for this one.

[Crowcreek]

Let me help you. Any military action which endangers our equipment and people in international territory should be stopped immediately by direct military intervention -- We shoot the b*stards out of the sky.

We don't need to start a war just to wax a foolish Chicom Mig jockey . . .

[Crowcreek]

When US military planes paint a big red star on the tail, they will be 'spy planes'!

Until then, they're just doing their job - legally - in front of God and everybody . . .

[tallhappy]

Let me get this straight. We have spy planes flying up and down the Chinese coast, they send aircraft out just to remind us where we are

You don't have it straight.

Think about it a bit more.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Two words - international airspace.

[bobi]

I share your opinion.

US has "reconnaissance" missions almost near or above every country in the world.

These come up in public light in such incidents where there are close encounters or shoot downs.

Like the U2 Plane shot down over Soviet Union in the 60's and many others.

Any such activity near or above US territory is not permitted.

Except for the Open Skies Agreement with the Russians.

[mathluv]

Did you notice the part about international air space?

[Tree of Liberty]

For all of you who want to bomb China over this what would you have our planes do if the Chinese were fying surveilance aircraft just off California? Some calm perspective may be in order for this one.

As others have pointed out, the incident occured in international airspace. Furthermore, don't forget that we're the good guys. They're not.

[Colorado Doug]

For all of you who want to bomb China over this what would you have our planes do if the Chinese were flying surveillance aircraft just off California? Some calm perspective may be in order for this one.

With all due respect, they don't have to fly surveillance over CA. They have their own docks in CA. They are in our top secret labs and Bill Clinton has already given them the rest. Still, while I would like to see a strong response if a plane were hit again, I don't think bombing China would be too wise at this time.

[maui_hawaii]

Do you know anything about Asia? Do you have any idea about the balance of power? The players in Asia? or even why we are over there?

Flying an unarmed EP3 around there is more than anything preventing a major war.

[BJungNan]

Let me get this straight. We have spy planes flying up and down the Chinese coast, they send aircraft out just to remind us where we are and WE are pissed at them. For all of you who want to bomb China over this what would you have our planes do if the Chinese were fying surveilance aircraft just off California? Some calm perspective may be in order for this one.

Excellent point and post. But you might as well be yelling into the wind and after the replies your going to get you'll feel like you were yelling up the tailpipe of a jet. You comments are not going to register.

[The Pheonix]

Facts and figures

In 2000, the US flew 940 surv missions near Hainan Island, yes, 940 surv missions. Why is China that important ? Everybody says China is backward, if so, why are we flying 940 surv missions near Hainan in 1 year alone ?

And in 2001, we , the US was caught red-handed by our European allies for tapping in their emails and faxes and telephones conversations, in an electronic surv operation, code-named "ECHELON". We were intercepting their overseas communications ,especially their trade messages, eg, we were spying on their, say, commercial commnications , with, say, Saudi Arabia, say, eg for a tender for jet-fighters, etc

Boy, were we red-faced

Well, I suppose , to surv mission is very, very, Sun Tzu,
"know thy enemy, know thyself,
in a hundred battles, a hundred victories."