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Title: Pentagon backs Turkey’s version of events, blames ‘incursion’ of Russian jet
Source:
Washington Times
URL Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news ... s-version-accuses-russian-fig/
Published: Nov 24, 2015
Author: Staff
Post Date: 2015-11-24 11:42:22 by cranky
Keywords: None
Views: 7747
Comments: 52
The U.S. military on Tuesday labeled as an “incursion” the Russian fighter jet that was shot down by Turkish aircraft over the Syria-Turkey border. Army Col. Steve Warren, the top military spokesman in Baghdad, confirmed the Turk’s version of events in saying they repeatedly warned the two Russian SU-24 pilots to back off. Col. Warren used the word “incursion” to describe the Russian flight, but also said the command was studying radars and other data, such as radio chatter, to make a definite conclusion. “The incident happened at the border,” Col. Warren said. “These things are not as clean as they are in the movies.” Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years has deployed his fighters and bombers close to the air space of NATO countries, such as Turkey and the U.S., as a way to try to rattle the allies. This is the first time he has paid a price in having one of his jets shot down and perhaps the pilots killed. Mr. Putin is backing Syrian President Bashar Assad, which is opposed by the Turkish government. Ankara is helping rebels opposed to the regime. The U.S. sent F-15C air superiority jets to Turkey to help it patrol and defend its air space. Col. Warren said no F-15 was in the vicinity. This “purely took place between the Russians and the Turks,” he said. Col. Warren has made no secret of the U.S.’s displeasure with Russian bombing campaign in Syria. They assert Mr. Putin is mostly bombing moderate rebel groups opposed to Mr. Assad and devoting little time to the Islamic State terror army.
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 9.
#2. To: cranky (#0)
The US-Mexican Border is not well marked, and we have a lot of military aircraft doing drills out in the desert at night, and a lot of law enforcement and border enforcement helicopters and planes out there that sometimes cross into Mexican airspace. And if the Mexicans shot down an American fighter plane or a helicopter for crossing a mile into Mexico? It is absurd to shoot down planes for a minor incursion. Absurd. Russia and Turkey are not at war. The Russians fly close to the border, or across it? Turkey complains diplomatically. But to just close in and shoot? And if China shoots down a US Navy aircraft that flies over those disputed islands? We have a naval base at Guantanamo, with a defined ingress and egress, and if an American warship loses its bearings - or its engine - and strays from the channel into Cuban waters, and the Cubans instantly hose off anti-ship missiles to blow it up? It's absurd. Hairtriggers are absurd. Russia is not attacking Turkey. So, the US is going to back the Turks? We are out of our minds. Our policy is stupid and our policymakers are morons. And they may very well get us all killed.
Not only that, the flight path Turkey first posted shows the Russian jet spending no more than 2 minutes over Turkey at 450MPH. How do you warn off, ten times in two minutes? Enjoy this ThanksGiving folks.
#10. To: BobCeleste (#9)
A little less than 3 miles will be covered in about about 20 seconds at this speed.
Yep. And Turkey is not at war with Russia. When jets stray into your territory, you warn them off and send diplomatic protests to the capital of the country that violated your airspace. You don't SHOOT THEM DOWN and kill their crews. What Turkey did was insane. What Turkey did was set up by the United States. God help us all.
It's SOP to give warnings to any aircraft on a heading toward a restricted air space like a national border or an airbase. If they don't get a reply and a change in heading, they keep repeating the warning. In this case, they claim they didn't know the identity of the plane so it would be along the lines of "Unknown aircraft approaching Turkish border at ______, you are entering restricted airspace. Alter your course immediately. Acknowledge...".
Twice, according to the flight plan. And you know they didn't reduce speed when over Turkey? And you believe that map? And you think the Russians should get a 2-minute "mulligan"?
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#9. To: Vicomte13 (#2)
Replies to Comment # 9. Not only that, the flight path Turkey first posted shows the Russian jet spending no more than 2 minutes over Turkey at 450MPH.
#18. To: BobCeleste (#9)
#19. To: BobCeleste (#9)
How do you warn off, ten times in two minutes?
#24. To: BobCeleste (#9)
"shows the Russian jet spending no more than 2 minutes over Turkey at 450MPH."
End Trace Mode for Comment # 9.
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