The Bear is back: Russia is an enemy again

[AnthemZ]

Originally Posted by deepsepia

We do have plans, but its one thing to have a plan, and another thing to put it into operation. For example: target lists. We have them, I'm sure the Russians have them. . . but we don't disseminate them to flight crews.

That is, F-16 crews don't walk around with the North Korea battleplan. If we did decide to attack NK, there's a complicated protocol where CIA and Air Force Intelligence prepares the briefers, and so on . . . you don't just call up a guy and say "There's a communications tower next to a high school-- don't hit the high school, OK?"

As you'll remember, major shit hit the fan when we mistakenly hit the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia about ten years ago. There was a lot of discussion in the aftermath of exactly how target lists are compiled and disseminated-- a good look "inside the system". Its not at all "spontaneous"

For the Russians, if they were to hit a group of American students, or an orphanage or whatever-- major bad outcome. So if they're dropping bombs in populated areas, they've been preparing for this for some time.

The system has been updated now! With the advanced JDAM's, target data is e-mailed to pilots during flights, and within a few minutes of reprograming they can attack all new targets. There were B-2 pilots that said they were reassigned 2 and 3 times on the way to a bomb run.

[AnthemZ]

Originally Posted by Tinysmasher

IIRC... this happened a shortly after the first F-117 was shot down due to a malfunction of it's bomber bay doors being stuck open.

Hrmmm... I wonder where the wreckage of that F-117 was. I'm sure it's total coincidence we wipe out the Chinese embassy soon afterwards.

I've heard that before! I makes you wonder??

[deepsepia]

Originally Posted by AnthemZ

I've been watching all the European news tonight, I just laugh out loud! They are all doing live links to Wash. D.C., and they are all so eager to know how Bush feels and what the U.S. will do??

Haven't we just went through 7 years of everyone whining about the U.S.? Where's the strong word from the U.N.? Or the E.U.?

It reminds me of Japan when they were rioting and wanted all the last bases to be closed, and the American troops out! Then all of a sudden, North Korea is launching missiles over their heads, and the people suddenly start baking them cookies and offering to wash their cars! They just then realized the Americans were nice to have around!

Oh, you're quite right -- we are the muscle, and they do look to us for it. But the tragedy of the Bush Administration is that instead of being respected as the "responsible authority", we became the "shoot first" bully.

You'll note that Putin is explicitly citing as precedent for his actions our behavior in Iraq (and implicitly, Yugoslavia). Most of the Georgia business is out of our control, but we have contributed to an international environment of unilateral intervention, pre-emptive war, and shoot first and look for reasons why later.

Its good to be seen as a militarily powerful nation which is extremely careful about decisions to employ force.

[Nemowork]

I dont want to hurt your pride or anything but the US is getting virtually no coverage in all this, not counting covering GW's free nation speech or McCain 's cold war part 2 turn its all been Saakashvilli and Putin on the news.

Particularly Saakashvilli, he's doing well at the whole leaning on a podium, trial lawyer thing

[Harpoon]

It's all relative to what news you're watching.. I wish we wouldnt get ANY intl' coverage..

[deepsepia]

Originally Posted by AnthemZ

The system has been updated now! With the advanced JDAM's, target data is e-mailed to pilots during flights, and within a few minutes of reprograming they can attack all new targets. There were B-2 pilots that said they were reassigned 2 and 3 times on the way to a bomb run.

to an existing theatre of war, sure. And Russian military electronics aren't that sophisticated. If you look back to our "shock and awe" campaign against Iraq-- that wasn't something we switched on overnight.

I think there's no reason to believe that the Russians would launch a complex aviation campaign without a lot of planning and preparation. For one thing-- they've never really done it before. For another, they'd obviously be worried about friend or foe identification, and air defenses . . . just not a 'snap your fingers and make it so' kinda thing

[AnthemZ]

Originally Posted by Nemowork

I dont want to hurt your pride or anything but the US is getting virtually no coverage in all this, not counting covering GW's free nation speech or McCain 's cold war part 2 turn its all been Saakashvilli and Putin on the news.

Particularly Saakashvilli, he's doing well at the whole leaning on a podium, trial lawyer thing

I watched Euronews, Sky, BBC, Sf1 Swiss, ORF Austria, and N-TV & ARD Germany.

I guess the news you were watching didn't talk about the U.S.


Hey Nemo! Switch to BBC right now!, Their discussing the U.S. view.

[treesmoke]

Originally Posted by deepsepia

to an existing theatre of war, sure. And Russian military electronics aren't that sophisticated. If you look back to our "shock and awe" campaign against Iraq-- that wasn't something we switched on overnight.

I think there's no reason to believe that the Russians would launch a complex aviation campaign without a lot of planning and preparation. For one thing-- they've never really done it before. For another, they'd obviously be worried about friend or foe identification, and air defenses . . . just not a 'snap your fingers and make it so' kinda thing

We were actually striking radar and communication in Iraq way before the war really got started. Under the idea that they had them in spots that they werent suppose to be.

Basically it seemed like the Russian might of took that idea from us so that the front lines of the enemies cant get orders from the higher ups. Shit maybe Georgians were attacking other Georgians.

And from what little i know about Russian military behavior, would they really be that bothered by friendly fire, as long as it doesnt take out a large portion of their own military.

[Nemowork]

Dont know about the military hierarchy but the guys on the ground definately are, thats why theyre all wearing white armbands and flying the biggest flags they can find

[Harpoon]

Is that a barrel tied to a 2x4 ?

[AnthemZ]

Originally Posted by Nemowork

Dont know about the military hierarchy but the guys on the ground definately are, thats why theyre all wearing white armbands and flying the biggest flags they can find

Originally Posted by Harpoon

Is that a barrel tied to a 2x4 ?

No shit!

What the hell kind of gun is that??

Most people put the wood under the barrel!

[AnthemZ]

Originally Posted by Harpoon

Is that a barrel tied to a 2x4 ?

That's why he has to rest it on a flag pole, if he holds it, he'll burn the shit out of his hand!

[treesmoke]

Originally Posted by Nemowork

Dont know about the military hierarchy but the guys on the ground definately are, thats why theyre all wearing white armbands and flying the biggest flags they can find

I think it is a normal gun the thing that is messing us up is that strap that he would use to hang it from his shoulder. Looks like he has the strap rap around the site of the gun.

[Harpoon]

You're right... I see it now..

[Nemowork]

From the magazine its a standard Dragunov sniper rifle but for some reason he's tied the sling to the front sight! Dont ask me, ask him if you can speak chechen!