Comments on: Things that make you go hmmm http://www.yourish.com/2007/06/23/3340 Cutting straight to the point Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:14:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Lil Mamzer http://www.yourish.com/2007/06/23/3340/comment-page-1#comment-27092 Lil Mamzer Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:33:31 +0000 http://www.yourish.com/2007/06/23/3340#comment-27092 Hugh - Those were the first-generation Patriot missiles. The current enhanced version are said to be better and have been incorporated into Israel's multi-tiered missile defense system, with the Arrow flying top cover. I recall that the US Air Force made a good-faith (if not futile) effort hunting for the mobile Scud launchers in western Iraq, but it still pisses me off the way Israel had to sit there and take it day after day while civilians died in their homes from the Scuds that got through. Hugh –

Those were the first-generation Patriot missiles. The current enhanced version are said to be better and have been incorporated into Israel’s multi-tiered missile defense system, with the Arrow flying top cover.

I recall that the US Air Force made a good-faith (if not futile) effort hunting for the mobile Scud launchers in western Iraq, but it still pisses me off the way Israel had to sit there and take it day after day while civilians died in their homes from the Scuds that got through.

]]> By: Hugh http://www.yourish.com/2007/06/23/3340/comment-page-1#comment-27089 Hugh Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:52:23 +0000 http://www.yourish.com/2007/06/23/3340#comment-27089 chsw, I agree about IFF. However, unless I'm mistaken, during Gulf War I, the US pointedly refused to share daily IFF codes with Israel, in spite of the SCUDs. Thus, IAF pilots would have been engaged by Coalition forces, were they to enter Iraqi air space. If I recall correctly, the US sent several batteries of Patriot missiles to Israel, instead. From what I've read, the Patriots were the next thing to white elephants. chsw, I agree about IFF. However, unless I’m mistaken, during Gulf War I, the US pointedly refused to share daily IFF codes with Israel, in spite of the SCUDs. Thus, IAF pilots would have been engaged by Coalition forces, were they to enter Iraqi air space.

If I recall correctly, the US sent several batteries of Patriot missiles to Israel, instead. From what I’ve read, the Patriots were the next thing to white elephants.

]]> By: chsw http://www.yourish.com/2007/06/23/3340/comment-page-1#comment-27076 chsw Sun, 24 Jun 2007 02:50:00 +0000 http://www.yourish.com/2007/06/23/3340#comment-27076 The thing to watch for is any indication that the IAF and USAF are sharing ID Friend/Foe (IFF) codes. Those codes would enable a deep penetration Israeli mission, or enable Israeli cruise missiles to traverse Iraqi airspace now secured by the USAF. If I were Ahmedinajad, I wouldn't shit in the same toilet twice. chsw The thing to watch for is any indication that the IAF and USAF are sharing ID Friend/Foe (IFF) codes. Those codes would enable a deep penetration Israeli mission, or enable Israeli cruise missiles to traverse Iraqi airspace now secured by the USAF. If I were Ahmedinajad, I wouldn’t shit in the same toilet twice.

chsw

]]> By: Lil Mamzer http://www.yourish.com/2007/06/23/3340/comment-page-1#comment-27075 Lil Mamzer Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:48:00 +0000 http://www.yourish.com/2007/06/23/3340#comment-27075 I don't see the point of either story. If it's meant to be sabre-rattling, it doesn't break any new ground and won't spook the enemy anything he doesn't already know. For what it's worth, the US Air Force is much better equipped and positioned to do the job than the IAF, and I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. Israel just doesn't have the depth of resources (in-flight refueling, stealth capabilities, ultra-long range aircraft) that the US does, and it's not likely to change anytime soon. The USAF has just announced a significant upgrade to the B-2 stealth long-range bomber which will allow it to carry 80 (that's 40 x 2) 500lb JDAM's. Each. Two sorties could theoretically neutralize Iran's air defenses, clearing the way for the bunker-buster-laden strike aircraft to follow. Israel just can't do that. I don’t see the point of either story. If it’s meant to be sabre-rattling, it doesn’t break any new ground and won’t spook the enemy anything he doesn’t already know.

For what it’s worth, the US Air Force is much better equipped and positioned to do the job than the IAF, and I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon. Israel just doesn’t have the depth of resources (in-flight refueling, stealth capabilities, ultra-long range aircraft) that the US does, and it’s not likely to change anytime soon.

The USAF has just announced a significant upgrade to the B-2 stealth long-range bomber which will allow it to carry 80 (that’s 40 x 2) 500lb JDAM’s. Each. Two sorties could theoretically neutralize Iran’s air defenses, clearing the way for the bunker-buster-laden strike aircraft to follow. Israel just can’t do that.

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