MSNBC: N Korean MiGs Intercepted US Reconnaissance Plane -

MSNBC ^ | March 3, 2003

[jern]

DJ N Korean MiGs Intercepted US Reconnaissance Plane - MSNBC

03/03/2003 Dow Jones News Services (Copyright © 2003 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Military sources say as many as four North Korean MiGs intercepted a U.S. reconnaissance plane over international waters during the weekend, MSNBC reported Monday.

According to the sources, the MiGs came within 500 feet of the U.S. RC-135 plane but didn't act aggressively, MSNBC said.

The network said the incident - the first such intercept since 1969 - happened in international air space over the Korean peninsula.

- By Larry McCoy, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-4370

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-03-03 1442ET

[RoughDobermann]

happened in international air space over the Korean peninsula.

Is there "international airspace over the Korean peninsula"? Are they talking about the airspace above the DMZ?

[sam_paine]

Was this near the Gulf of Tonkin? ;-/

[phasma proeliator]

And how many US fighters "intercepted" the NK Migs?

[Hamilton2]

What connection does North Korea have with Iraq other than a desire to see the US fail?

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

They are taunting us; they want us to shoot them down.

[Capitalist Eric]

an RC-135... over international waters....

As a recon plane???

What's next, the N. Koreans shoot down a Cessna 172, calling it an "imminent attack?"

What a load of crap!!!

[Mo1]

Dang .. North Korea sure is itching to pick a fight with us

[Sparta]

What type of MiG intercepted the recon plane?

[Semper Paratus]

the first such intercept since 1969 - happened in international air space over the Korean peninsula.

Stay alert, their next escalation may be a Pueblo incident or taking an axe our soldiers in Panmunjom.

[Dog]

I bet Saddam is putting the nitwit up to these stunts..

Watch these stunts to get more brazen...the closer we get near Good bye Saddam.

[RoughDobermann]

As a recon plane???

Huh?

[Bobby777]

various -135's are recon planes ... different capabilities depending upon model ... one of FR's members used to be a backseater in one a few decades ago ...

[discostu]

Wow does NBC suck. If he NK planes didn't shoot then it wasn't an intercept, international airspace is a fast and lose place and escorts happen. And there is no such thing as international air space over the Korean Peninsula, peninsulas are land and all the land of the Korean Peninsula is part of some country except the DMZ and that's a hardcore no fly zone for everybody.

[Mr. Mojo]

Never have I seen a nation so desperate for an ass-kicking. They're begging for it.

[Normal4me]

It just dawned on me that they may want us to attack them. Afterall, we have pledged to rebuid Iraq after we go to war and we have pumped in billions into Afghanistan.

Then again, Kim Jong Il belongs in a mental institution so...

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Mission

The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft supports theater and national level consumers with near real time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities.

Features

The aircraft is an extensively modified C-135. The Rivet Joint's modifications are primarily related to its on-board sensor suite, which allows the mission crew to detect, identify and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. The mission crew can then forward gathered information in a variety of formats to a wide range of consumers via Rivet Joint's extensive communications suite.

The interior seats 32 people, including the cockpit crew, electronic warfare officers, intelligence operators and in-flight maintenance technicians.

The Rivet Joint fleet is currently undergoing significant airframe, navigational and powerplant upgrades which include re-engining from the TF-33 to the CFM-56 engines used on the KC-135R and upgrade of the flight deck instrumentation and navigational systems to the AMP standard. The AMP standard includes conversion from analog readouts to a digital “glass cockpit” configuration.

All Rivet Joint airframe and mission systems modifications are overseen by L-3 Communications (previously Raytheon), under the oversight of the Air Force Material Command. Background

The current RC-135 fleet is the latest iteration of modifications to this pool of –135 aircraft going back to 1964. Initially employed by Strategic Air Command to satisfy nationally tasked intelligence collection requirements, the RC-135 fleet has also participated in every sizable armed conflict involving U.S. assets during its tenure. RC-135s were present supporting operations in Vietnam, the Mediterranean for Operation El Dorado Canyon, Grenada for Operation Urgent Fury, Panama for Operation Just Cause, and Southwest Asia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. RC-135s have maintained a constant presence in both Southwest Asia and in the area of the Balkans since the early 1990s.

All RC-135s are assigned to Air Combat Command. The RC-135 is permanently based at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. and operated by the 55th Wing, using various forward deployment locations worldwide. General Characteristics

Primary Function: Reconnaissance Contractor: L-3 Communications Power Plant: Four Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-5 turbofans Thrust: 16,050 pounds each engine Unrefueled Range: 3,900 miles (6,500 kilometers) Length: 135 feet (41.1 meters) Height: 42 feet (12.8 meters) Maximum Takeoff Weight: 297,000 pounds (133,633 kilograms) Wingspan: 131 feet (39.9 meters) Speed: 500+ miles per hour (Mach.66) Flight Crew: Five (augmented) - three pilots, two navigators Mission flight crew: 21-27, depending on mission requirements, minimum consisting of three electronic warfare officers, 14 intelligence operators and four inflight/airborne maintenance technicians Unit Cost: unavailable Date Deployed: Initial RC-135 conversions from 1964-1968; V/W configurations, 1981 Inventory: Active force, 14; Reserve, 0; Guard, 0

[Moonman62]

And how many US fighters "intercepted" the NK Migs?

Not needed. Our recon planes can knock fighters out of the sky, even when they're piloted by top guns like Wrong Wei.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

According to the sources, the MiGs came within 500 feet of the U.S. RC-135 plane but didn't act aggressively, MSNBC said.

aggressive enough for me put some f-14's up and SHOOT THEM DOWN somebody needs to show the little pot bellied nutcase in pyongyang they better not screw with us