U.S.: Russian planes flew near California, Guam, in upped activity

[mota bhai 2,675]

(Reuters) - The head of U.S. air forces in the Pacific said on Monday that Russia's intervention in Ukraine had been accompanied by a significant increase in Russian air activity in the Asia-Pacific region in a show of strength and to gather intelligence.

General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle said the activity had included Russian flights to the coast of California, and around the U.S. Pacific island of Guam.

Carlisle said the number of long-range Russian patrols around the Japanese islands and Korea had increased "drastically."

...

Speaking at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, Carlisle showed a slide of a U.S. F-15 fighter jet intercepting a Russian "Bear" aircraft over Guam. He used the Cold War NATO name for Russia's Tupolov Tu-95 strategic bomber.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/06/us-usa-russia-asiapac-idUSBREA4501M20140506

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Did they go to Alaska? because Sarah Palin said then when Putin rears his ugly head, he would go first to Alaska, because they were separated by a narrow maritime border.

Edited May 6, 2014 by Harpa Timsah

[JohnR! 5,495]

Did they go to Alaska? because Sarah Palin said then when Putin rears his ugly head, he would go first to Alaska, because they were separated by a narrow maritime border.

I don't think they have been anywhere near Alaska yet, otherwise she would have seen them from her porch, in Arizona...

[Teddy B 17,252]

U.S.: Russian planes flew near California, Guam, in upped activity

I hope the wind shear and turbulence caused by the jets doesn't flip Guam right over.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Did they go to Alaska? because Sarah Palin said then when Putin rears his ugly head, he would go first to Alaska, because they were separated by a narrow maritime border.

There have been several intercepted Russian planes near Alaska in the past year..

Here is an article from last year that mentions how 2012 and 2013 were "stepped-up" years of Russian intrusion with interceptions multiple times in Guam, California, and Alaska..

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/may/6/russian-bombers-again-fly-close-to-us/?page=all

On another note.. The F-15 that did the recent interceptions (the ones off Alaska were F-22s) made their first test flights over 40 years ago and they still have 11+ years minimum left.. An amazing run for a fighter plane!

Edited May 6, 2014 by OnMyWayID

[GandD 5,966]

The F-15 is arguably one of the best designed fighters of all time, all things being equal. You just can't retire the thing.

[JohnR! 5,495]

The F-15 is arguably one of the best designed fighters of all time, all things being equal. You just can't retire the thing.

I call them adrenaline rockets....

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Did they go to Alaska? because Sarah Palin said then when Putin rears his ugly head, he would go first to Alaska, because they were separated by a narrow maritime border.

That idiot should do a charity swim from Alaska to Russia so she can get an appreciation for the distance.

Yes love, it's about as far as the channel from England to France.

[UncleBeer 244]

That idiot should do a charity swim from Alaska to Russia so she can get an appreciation for the distance.

Yes love, it's about as far as the channel from England to France.

19 miles across the English Channel, and 2.4 miles between the Diomedes. That's "about as far"?

And you call Palin an idiot?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Have you heard of a thing called "mainland"

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Did they go to Alaska? because Sarah Palin said then when Putin rears his ugly head, he would go first to Alaska, because they were separated by a narrow maritime border.

Them attacking across the straight has been fairly accepted theory for years.

I don't think they have been anywhere near Alaska yet, otherwise she would have seen them from her porch, in Arizona...

You do know that was a SNL skit...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That SNL skit was very plausible. That's what made it so funny.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Why didn't we shoot them down?

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Why didn't we shoot them down?

Because Obama is scared of Putin

[BatmanUSA 105]

I agree....

Shoot them down..

They should have shot the one down last month in the black sea...