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. "

[Enchante]

I meant ‘67 but there were no F-16s around then either. Nor were there any US fighter jets based in Saudi-land in those days.

[Enchante]

You have no idea WTH you're talking about. F-16s based in Saudi Arabia in 1967?? Yeah, right, the F-16 did not exist in those days and there were no US fighter bases in Saudi-land in those days. You are trying to refer to F-4s from the US 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, but you ought to learn a bit about the facts before you try to recite them to others. As for the start of the "Six Day War"..... it was always perfectly well known to all that Israel launched pre-emptive strikes BECAUSE Nasser had kicked UN "peace keeping" troops out of the way while he massed his army on Israel's southern/eastern border in obvious preparation for attack. No special intel was needed to know that Israel struck the first blows then, just in advance of Nasser's obvious moves to invade Israel.

"The ship's captain requsted F-16 support from American stationed in Saudi Arabia; the response was the jets were en-route. The Israelis left the area to avid air to air conflict with American pilots. Fortunately, the Israelis never realized that the F-16s did not receive runway/tower/air space clearance from the Saudis."

[this is my country]

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. Psalm 107:28

Oh Lord, please free us from this madman in charge of this nation. Please correct this grievous error that the American people have made and allow us to earn your mercy and forgiveness when we stand together with Israel and not turn our backs on them in the time of trouble ahead. Amen

[Repeat Offender]

Read the thread.... read all of my posts. Including the THREE where I said I got the model of the plane wrong.

Then, after you've read all of the posts (including the parts where a preemptive strike was discussed; which I stated Israel felt justified to do), perhaps you can come up with an intelligent response.

[Paladin2]

So did or did not Israel purposefully attack a US Navy ship and cause loss of life?

That seems to be the question you need to answer.

[Nachum]

The list, ping

[OldGoatCPO]

I was wondering about this article, Casey is the Army CoS, or so I thought. On Rush I heard it was Gates? Mullens’ an idiot, he has been a diversity disaster for the military. I was wondering why Obama selected him as the CJCS, repeal of DADT is the answer. All the real war fighters like Conway and Casey are against it. Is it no surprise that Mullens would respond as he did.

[OldGoatCPO]

Besides no F-22 in the region, the Israel’s are not flying stock F-16s right off the factory floor. IAI installs their own radar packages and adds much of their own weapons systems. We may know what they have, but in a situation like this it all comes down to the pilot. Sadly, there would be attrition on both sides.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Amazing, isn’t it?

[thethirddegree]

Ha! Great pic!

[McGruff]

They've got a big job:

I've been thinking that all along. Iran is a huge country by the time you get to any facilities on the other side of the country they are going to know you are coming. Even with all our cruise missiles I see it as a difficult mission but as I've said before expect the unexpected from the Israelis.

[Jewbacca]

“They might get the order to shoot, but may develop a sudden real bad sense of aim. Oooops, missed again.”

No we’d fight and kill each other rather well I am afraid.

Orders are orders.

[ronnyquest]

I am more and more glad that I am no longer in the Army. It will come soon down to one hell of a fight and it would be difficult for someone of my generation to fire on Israelis.

[TankerKC]

On Rush I heard it was Gates?

Gates is the SecDef. Mullen is the Chairman of the JCS.

[Jewbacca]

He should make aliyah.

I am a (former, but technically reservist) IAF pilot and worked closely with USAF pilots regarding istallation and “tweaking” of ground-support firing weapons, used by the USAF to great effect in Iraq and, even more so, Afganistan.

Our F15 and F-16s are marginally superior, but most of our modifications have been to increase range, which actually harm “top end” performance (e.g., conformal fuel tanks).

Our pilots are as skilled, if not more skilled, than USAF pilots, but we would be greatly outnumbered and outclassed dramatically with regard to intel and C&C.

The USAF pilots would do as ordered.

The entire thing would be a complete disaster, with ample kills on both sides.

[Eyes Unclouded]

It isn’t even a remote possibility that the American military would disobey lawful orders from the President. The closest thing to this occurring is the military would just play dumb and not tell Obama that the planes were there. Even that scenario is a stretch.

[onedoug]

Shhh....

[School of Rational Thought]

I wonder if they would shoot down Iranian planes going to bomb Israel?

Excellent question. Probably not. Another question, would Israel retaliate if US attackes them? And another, would a US attack on Israel start an all around shooting war with Syria, Iran, yada yada.

[GeronL]

I just hope Israel’s submarines are ready for the second strike scenario. All those missiles targeted to different major islamic cities.

[SevenofNine]

That disgusting