Jim Lane

Is this something we should be concerned about, like when were they going to tell us?

I remember 50-60 years ago, Air Raid Sirens would have been wailing long before they got this close.

Four Russian strategic bombers triggered U.S. air defense systems while conducting practice bombing runs near Alaska this week, with two of the Tu-95 Bear H aircraft coming within 50 miles of the California coast

Quick, look up in the sky, what is that sound you hear above the clouds?



Read.
http://www.businessinsider.com/russi...ifornia-2014-6

Two U.S. Air Force F-22 jets were scrambled and intercepted the bombers over the Aleutians.

After tracking the bombers as they flew eastward, two of the four Bears turned around and headed west toward the Russian Far East. The bombers are believed to be based at the Russian strategic base near Anadyr, Russia.

The remaining two nuclear-capable bombers then flew southeast and around 9:30 pm entered the U.S. northern air defense zone off the coast of Northern California.

Two U.S. F-15 jets were deployed and intercepted the bombers as they eventually flew within 50 miles of the coast before turning around and heading west.

A defense official said the four bombers also were supported by two IL-78 aerial refueling tankers that were used for mid-air refueling during the operation this week.

The Tu-95 is a long-range strike aircraft capable of carrying nuclear cruise missiles. Other versions are equipped with intelligence-gathering sensors and electronic warfare gear. It has a range of around 9,400 miles without refueling.

Davis said the aircraft “acted professionally” and the bombers appeared to be conducting a training mission.

A Training mission 50 miles off the coast of California? Why did not somebody run them off?

How were they going to protect us if they launched just ONE nuclear Cruise missile at us?

Read more: http://freebeacon.com/national-secur...#ixzz34PzNTqeK

I know that I feel all warm and fuzzy now.

Jim

j_martin

Cruise missiles are dog slow. If the bombers were being tailed by fighters, and launched a cruise missile, one fighter would easily overtake and destroy the missile, while another would easily destroy the bomber(s). I don't think Russian pilots are that dumb.

It would be neat to have the fighter launched equivalent of a paint ball marker to make a point with the Russians.

In 1966, in the Mediterranean Sea somewhere between Italy and France, I was on the bridge of the Everglades destroyer tender when a Mig went by us at about Mach 2, 40 yards off the port side and about 50' altitude. Shock wave knocked me right off my feet.

We were unescorted, and our only "weapons" were an old manual 3" cannon on the forecastle, and maybe a couple of M1 carbines.

Ahh yes, the good old cold war days.

Chrisreyn

I truely believe thst all out war with Russia is inevitable, it's a question of when, not if

patdaly

Golly, sounds like an Obama trade, we send up our multi-billion dollar F22's to intercept what amounts to a Connie?

Didn't they have a couple of A-10s they could have sent up?

soulezoo

The Bears make these incursions around Alaska all the time. What made news is the NorCal flyby.

There is nothing going on now or the near future. This is how Russia plays cat and mouse. They act, we react. They gauge our reaction and plot accordingly. At the same time, this has an anesthetic effect over time. We get used to it. Start letting the guard down. That is our "collective" guard that is. The mil will always scramble a fighter or two in reaction, it is how the rest of us get complacent that matters.

Should we worry... IMO, no, not now. When tensions are high, I think they are least likely to do much. When tensions are low and you are feeling all warm and fuzzy, that is when I worry.

Russians are terribly vindictive and they never forget.

soulezoo

I've crew'd A-10s in my long ago past... they wouldn't catch up to the Bears.

And while the Bears may look so 50-60's, they are quite advanced. The counterrotating props alone are an engineering feat unto themselves. Do not underestimate the Bears any more than I'd suggest we underestimate a B-52.

Chrisreyn

Oh I'm not concerned that any things gonna happen anytime soon, probably won't occur in my lifetime, but I have been convinced for years and remain convinced that it will happen eventually

Shovelhead

Ya think OUR planes never fly "Training Missions" near THEIR airspace?

patdaly

Really? I would never have guessed that.......... Good to know.

I still think we could have sent a lesser aircraft than our very best.......

j_martin

Aw, let the boy have some fun. Show up at their wingtip like a dragonfly and calmly radio them with directions to go home.

Shovelhead

These guys are the Welcome Wagon in our area for the errant (mostly civilian) aircraft.