U.S. flies B-52s near disputed Chinese islands

This is an interesting development, if true.

www.bbc.com...

While not exactly state of the art, these aren't the typical surveillance planes the last time around. Definite offensive capabilities. Chinese reactions? Unknown. This report is two days old out of the U.K.

No U.S. coverage??

Anyone have any more on this?

a reply to: nwtrucker

No, but I can guess. B52's have familiar radar signatures, and standoff launch ability of multiple cruise missiles. An inbound flight, towards China or 'near' China is just as scary in the initial stages as the sub launched ICBMs a few days ago off the California coast.

More stained undies for nervous radar intercept personell.

Now come on and tell me its only testing… yep, it is.

a reply to: intrptr

Makes sense.

Stretches the game a bit. A safe move, and as you point out not beyond what China has done, themselves.

a reply to: nwtrucker

Near islands is nothing, they do this to the mainland all the time. Actually over the islands would be meaningful.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

Except the Chinese bitched all day long when the last 'over-flight' took place. Nary a word on this one.

I'm missing the 'meaningful' part of your post....getting old.

a reply to: nwtrucker

If you miss it then the problem is your lack of understanding, which you seem to want to remain ignorant about. So can't help you.

www.manilalivewire.com...

China did bitch this time.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

Thanks for the link.

The rest? I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to 'understand'. Obviously.

I can understand the non-answer though.

a reply to: nwtrucker

You did not ask. You attacked me when I said flying near is far less meaningful than flying over, as flying near happens constantly.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

What?? I did no such thing! I said I was getting old! Not YOU.

a reply to: nwtrucker

Not how it read to me, simple miscommunication then! No harm no foul.

I don't know if this is accurate information...

Last I heard 2 Russian bombers where within a mile and a half of an American carrier near China's man made islands when they were escorted out of the area by a few raptors...

a reply to: 5StarOracle

There are no Raptors in that part of Asia right now. And they wouldn't be flying near a carrier group. They have their own fighters that would intercept and escort.

The Reagan wasn't near the islands when it happened, it was during a joint exercise off Korea. It was a pair of Tu-142s, and they were intercepted by F-18s launched off the ship. They flew within a mile at less than 2,000 feet.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I'll take your word for it...

a reply to: nwtrucker

Well crikey, that does a lot. Maybe the B52's could fly over the Mid East. Might be better value in that. Simple fly bys won't bother China in the slightest. China already knows US capabilities with B52's. Might bother the American tax payer. Money for nothing.

Bally

Last time I checked, it wasn't called the "South China Sea" for nothing!

Just more US posturing and sabre rattling in another nations backyard again. Gotta keep the military industry and Pentagon budgets up, not to mention all those stocks and shares the politicians hold in those markets.

a reply to: Britguy

So if we simply decided to call it the Philippine sea then it all belongs to the Philippines? Does the Sea of Japan give the Japanese exclusive claim to everything up to 12 miles off the coast of Korea/Russia?

Or are we not so foolish as to think an arbitrary name of a sea implies ownership of land? The name actually implies China owns nothing in it though, as the name says the sea is South of China. It can't be south of China if it is actually part of China. Fun fact, china does not call it the South China sea .. merely the South Sea. So I guess it's not called the South CHINA Sea at all.

It is actually China who is messing in other's backyards, so get your facts straight. The US is simply backing up allies that China is attacking. What china has done could be construed as an act of war, the US response is very tame.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

Maybe the US of A (..rseholes) should stay the hell out of other peoples spaces and quit dictating to everyone.

The world is starting to defy the failing empire more and more and one day they'll get a bloody nose as a result, and deservedly so. Arrogance will always get you at some point.

Why shouldn't China, being the biggest in the region, try to exert it's influence. I mean, it's not like they are killing masses and invading to do so, unlike the US of A (..rseholes) has been for decades.

originally posted by: Britguy
a reply to: OccamsRazor04

Maybe the US of A (..rseholes) should stay the hell out of other peoples spaces and quit dictating to everyone.

Maybe you like to remain ignorant. China is actively attacking their neighbors, including the Philippines, whom is a US ally. Maybe china should stop trying to steal land from other countries.

Why shouldn't China, being the biggest in the region, try to exert it's influence. I mean, it's not like they are killing masses and invading to do so, unlike the US of A (..rseholes) has been for decades.

So the USA is the bad guy even though China is actively invading and stealing land from other countries.

Maybe the UK should keep their noses out of the Falklands. You sound bitter, and extremely uninformed.



If you don't feel a fool after seeing that map then I fear there is no help for you.

Again, why it America's business?
A lot of this right now is a result of the US trying to exert it's own influence in the region and bully everyone else. So why shouldn't China try to exert it's own influence in the region it occupies, to protect it's own interests?

You seem to think the USA is some righteous protector of freedom and democracy, when in fact it's probably the biggest cesspit of corruption, militaristic aggression and destroyer of freedom the planet has ever known.

a reply to: Britguy

No, I seem to think you are completely ignorant on the subject.

It's america's business for 2 reasons. One is that it's a shipping lane. The other is that OUR ALLY IS BEING ATTACKED. How many times does it have to be said?

For someone who claims to be anti War you sure do love to back aggressive warmongers as long as they are against the West. No one who is actually anti War can back china.

So take your pick. Are you anti War, or Anti West. Right now your position is pro War.