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Kevin Brooks wrote:
"Henry J Cobb" wrote in message ... Can you please list all of the air bases the US Air Force has within 600 miles of Taiwan that they can use without needing a permission slip from a foreign government? Trust Henry to jump in a day late, a dollar short, and with his skivvies on fire. We do have one such base in Okinawa, looks to be close to the five to six hundred mile range. Of course, the PI are a possibility, and they have no great affection for the PRC, either. See the bit above about permission slip. What if we had a war and the US Air Force didn't show up because their F/A-22s couldn't reach it? While I sympathize with your position here (and indeed believe the USAF fighters would likely be a minor contributor in this particular scenario), you seem to have forgotten some platforms that do indeed have the range to ensure that the "US Air Force shows up"--B-1, B-2, B-52, Global Hawk, KC-135/10 (which your USN folks *do* appreciate when they can get them), etc. And how far was it from the Gulf states to Afghanistan? How is a B-2 going to keep the PLAAF away from Taiwan without bombing China and turning a minor conflict into a general war? Better yet, what if we didn't have a war because the US Navy deterred it? But how, Henry? By your estimate, we'll only have 20 knot capable ships, which will still be enroute after it is over... Given the slow rate the Bush regime is building big deck carriers we may well end up that way. Pity we can't cancel those F/A-22s and put the money back in the Navy where it can be put to some use. -HJC |
#2
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![]() "Henry J Cobb" wrote in message ... Kevin Brooks wrote: "Henry J Cobb" wrote in message ... Can you please list all of the air bases the US Air Force has within 600 miles of Taiwan that they can use without needing a permission slip from a foreign government? Trust Henry to jump in a day late, a dollar short, and with his skivvies on fire. We do have one such base in Okinawa, looks to be close to the five to six hundred mile range. Of course, the PI are a possibility, and they have no great affection for the PRC, either. See the bit above about permission slip. How much of a permission slip do we need for Okinawa? We are not in the habit of creating large bases, and keeping them in place, if we can't operate as we choose out of them. What if we had a war and the US Air Force didn't show up because their F/A-22s couldn't reach it? While I sympathize with your position here (and indeed believe the USAF fighters would likely be a minor contributor in this particular scenario), you seem to have forgotten some platforms that do indeed have the range to ensure that the "US Air Force shows up"--B-1, B-2, B-52, Global Hawk, KC-135/10 (which your USN folks *do* appreciate when they can get them), etc. And how far was it from the Gulf states to Afghanistan? How is a B-2 going to keep the PLAAF away from Taiwan without bombing China and turning a minor conflict into a general war? Duh. You use the B-2, etc., to hammer the crap out of the targets in the PRC (like maybe their airbases, huh?). It goes to the level of armed conflict, we are not going to be ditzing around with them while giving them sanctuary across the 12-mile limit. Better yet, what if we didn't have a war because the US Navy deterred it? But how, Henry? By your estimate, we'll only have 20 knot capable ships, which will still be enroute after it is over... Given the slow rate the Bush regime is building big deck carriers we may well end up that way. Pity we can't cancel those F/A-22s and put the money back in the Navy where it can be put to some use. Ah, good ol' Henry, firmly convinced he is the only one with a clue--those danged folks who actually wear the uniform being rather stupid and all, of course. Go back to SMN and tell everbody again how the LCS has to be able to change out mission modules at sea, and anything over what, 20 knots is wasted effort? And how it should have an armament suite that would make an Iowa BB blush and run in fear, of course. While operating a vertiable fleet of helos from each one... Brooks -HJC |
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Kevin Brooks wrote:
"Henry J Cobb" wrote in message ... See the bit above about permission slip. How much of a permission slip do we need for Okinawa? We are not in the habit of creating large bases, and keeping them in place, if we can't operate as we choose out of them. How many sorties did the Air Force fly out of Saudi Arabia for OIF? How is a B-2 going to keep the PLAAF away from Taiwan without bombing China and turning a minor conflict into a general war? Duh. You use the B-2, etc., to hammer the crap out of the targets in the PRC (like maybe their airbases, huh?). It goes to the level of armed conflict, we are not going to be ditzing around with them while giving them sanctuary across the 12-mile limit. Like the Korean war? -HJC |
#4
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![]() "Henry J Cobb" wrote in message ... Kevin Brooks wrote: "Henry J Cobb" wrote in message ... See the bit above about permission slip. How much of a permission slip do we need for Okinawa? We are not in the habit of creating large bases, and keeping them in place, if we can't operate as we choose out of them. How many sorties did the Air Force fly out of Saudi Arabia for OIF? Very different situation. We *gave* Okinawa back to the Japanese after kicking their butts in WWII--with the understanding we get to keep the base there (and use it as we see fit). A bit different from our being essentially a visitor in SA. How is a B-2 going to keep the PLAAF away from Taiwan without bombing China and turning a minor conflict into a general war? Duh. You use the B-2, etc., to hammer the crap out of the targets in the PRC (like maybe their airbases, huh?). It goes to the level of armed conflict, we are not going to be ditzing around with them while giving them sanctuary across the 12-mile limit. Like the Korean war? That would be the place where we learned NOT to do that again. Sorry, Henry, but you are about fifty years out of date. Brooks -HJC |
#5
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Kevin Brooks wrote:
"Henry J Cobb" wrote in message ... How many sorties did the Air Force fly out of Saudi Arabia for OIF? More than either party will admit, I believe. AWACS, tankers, etc. seem to have flown from their, though not actual strikers. Very different situation. We *gave* Okinawa back to the Japanese after kicking their butts in WWII--with the understanding we get to keep the base there (and use it as we see fit). A bit different from our being essentially a visitor in SA. More importantly, Japan has a similar relationship to Taiwan as the United States does. Officially it discourages independance, but it has quietly developed defense ties and would very likely assist in the defense of Taiwan. They might not actually thrown in combat forces, but Japanese ports and bases would almost certainly be available, and they might even provide logistical support. -- Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail "If brave men and women never died, there would be nothing special about bravery." -- Andy Rooney (attributed) |
#6
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How many sorties did the Air Force fly out of Saudi Arabia for OIF?
More than either party will admit, I believe. AWACS, tankers, etc. seem to have flown from their, though not actual strikers. Dont be so sure on that last one. They were finding quite inventive ways as to what could be classified as a "support" aircraft. It will probably be some time before it is fully declassified as to what aircraft flew from where, but a certain country east of Iraq that begins with a J was utilized too. Ron Tanker 65, C-54E (DC-4) |
#7
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![]() "Ron" wrote in message ... How many sorties did the Air Force fly out of Saudi Arabia for OIF? More than either party will admit, I believe. AWACS, tankers, etc. seem to have flown from their, though not actual strikers. Dont be so sure on that last one. They were finding quite inventive ways as to what could be classified as a "support" aircraft. It will probably be some time before it is fully declassified as to what aircraft flew from where, but a certain country east of Iraq that begins with a J was utilized too. It is no secret that the US flew over Israel and Jordan to strike Iraq. The aircraft carrier parked of Isreal in the Med was a hint. Overflying Saudi only became an issue after USN kept crashing cruise missiles in the Saudi Desert. |
#8
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