September 27, 2011
— rdbrewer From ABC News:
U.S. officials had once thought there was little chance that terrorists could get their hands on many of the portable surface-to-air missiles that can bring down a commercial jet liner.But now that calculation is out the window, with officials at a recent secret White House meeting reporting that thousands of them have gone missing in Libya.
. . .
The nightmare has been made real with the discovery in Libya that an estimated 20,000 portable, heat-seeking missiles have gone missing from unguarded Army weapons warehouses.
The missiles, four to six-feet long and Russian-made, can weigh just 55 pounds with launcher. They lock on to the heat generated by the engines of aircraft, can be fired from a vehicle or from a combatant's shoulder, and are accurate and deadly at a range of more than two miles.
Interesting ABC would call this an exclusive report, since CNN had this story three weeks ago and with more detail:
They are Grinch SA-24 shoulder-launched missiles, also known as Igla-S missiles, the equivalent of U.S.-made Stinger missiles.A CNN team and Human Rights Watch found dozens of empty crates marked with packing lists and inventory numbers that identified the items as Igla-S surface-to-air missiles.
. . .
Grinch SA-24s are designed to target front-line aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and drones. They can shoot down a plane flying as high as 11,000 feet and can travel 19,000 feet straight out.
Fighters aligned with the National Transitional Council and others swiped armaments from the storage facility, witnesses told Human Rights Watch.
. . .
Peter Bouckaert, Human Rights Watch emergencies director, told CNN he has seen the same pattern in armories looted elsewhere in Libya, noting that "in every city we arrive, the first thing to disappear are the surface-to-air missiles."
He said such missiles can fetch many thousands of dollars on the black market.
"We are talking about some 20,000 surface-to-air missiles in all of Libya, and I've seen cars packed with them." he said. "They could turn all of North Africa into a no-fly zone."
So now raving lunatics have 20,000 surface-to-air missiles. Second look at boots on the ground, anyone? Second look at waterboarding, Obama? Thanks to commenter "Jane D'oh."
Posted by: rdbrewer at
10:23 AM
| Comments (363)
Post contains 392 words, total size 4 kb.
Posted by: © Sponge at September 27, 2011 10:24 AM (UK9cE)
Posted by: Dr. Shatterhand at September 27, 2011 10:25 AM (jqLx3)
Posted by: kurious at September 27, 2011 10:25 AM (ggRof)
Posted by: kurious at September 27, 2011 02:25 PM (ggRof)
You need new friends.
Posted by: © Sponge at September 27, 2011 10:26 AM (UK9cE)
Posted by: Scott J at September 27, 2011 10:27 AM (/bVuS)
Posted by: Thunderbuzzard at September 27, 2011 10:27 AM (OlN4e)
Wait a minute...this is backwards.
The Grinch missiles went missing.
This could be a real "Who" dunnit.
Posted by: connertown at September 27, 2011 10:28 AM (+q3dR)
Posted by: George Orwell what knows Obama is a stuttering clusterfuck of a miserable failure at September 27, 2011 10:29 AM (AZGON)
Posted by: Honey Badger ben Janitor at September 27, 2011 10:29 AM (GvYeG)
Now if she was talking waterboarding Islamists until the Nile runs dry, well. That'd be different.
Posted by: rdbrewer at September 27, 2011 10:29 AM (yhLR9)
It's like Christmas came early.
Posted by: Mohammed, the irony immune islamic socialist at September 27, 2011 10:30 AM (sOXQX)
Why?
Was there a curse put on the storage sites?
Were the missiles guarded by dozens of chupacabra?
Posted by: Chuckit at September 27, 2011 10:30 AM (pkQix)
Posted by: Ford Pinto at September 27, 2011 10:30 AM (UOM48)
"Stay on the bomb run, boys! I'm gonna get them doors open if it harelips ever'body on Bear Creek!"
Posted by: Dr. Varno at September 27, 2011 10:30 AM (QMtmy)
Posted by: Paladin at September 27, 2011 10:31 AM (hxLER)
Posted by: Temper Tantrum at September 27, 2011 10:32 AM (bAL0J)
Posted by: Obama is a stuttering clusterfu*k of a miserable failure. at September 27, 2011 10:32 AM (lpWVn)
Fuck. No.
There might be a point, like a month ago, before all the missiles went missing. You can bet anything else of significant interest has already been looted and anything they wanted to move out of country already has been.
Posted by: Methos at September 27, 2011 10:33 AM (sOXQX)
Posted by: EC at September 27, 2011 10:33 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Paladin
Note to self: start betting pool on the first US/International flight to get picked off at takeoff or landing.
Remember when the IRA was trying to get their paws on a shoulder fired SAM? Remember how that was a big deal?
Posted by: Cindy Lou Who at September 27, 2011 10:33 AM (6rX0K)
Posted by: joejm65 at September 27, 2011 10:33 AM (UZuc4)
Posted by: No Whining at September 27, 2011 10:34 AM (7GfKM)
Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at September 27, 2011 10:34 AM (cbyrC)
What does tentacle hentai have to do with surface to air missiles?
Posted by: Methos at September 27, 2011 10:34 AM (sOXQX)
Posted by: Berserker at September 27, 2011 10:34 AM (FMbng)
Posted by: Thunderbuzzard at September 27, 2011 10:34 AM (OlN4e)
Were the missiles guarded by dozens of chupacabra?
Well, they are Russian missiles...
Seriously, this is not good. Furthermore, CDR M posted a sidebar story a few days ago indicating some of the Libyan surface-to-air missile stock was transferred to Iran via an Iranian detachment in the Sudan.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at September 27, 2011 10:35 AM (9hSKh)
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 10:35 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: joncelli at September 27, 2011 10:36 AM (RD7QR)
Yes the missiles going to the black market is bad.(can I say black market here?)
Say, whatever happened to Qaddaffi's chemical weapon stockpiles?
Posted by: Speller at September 27, 2011 10:37 AM (J74Py)
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 02:35 PM (UOM4
You will find out soon enough, infidel.
Posted by: Achmed at September 27, 2011 10:37 AM (OlN4e)
Good God, man! Be careful with your typos, because that one produced a horrible image!
Posted by: Meiczyslaw at September 27, 2011 10:37 AM (bjRNS)
Posted by: toby928© at September 27, 2011 10:37 AM (GTbGH)
Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at September 27, 2011 10:37 AM (+lsX1)
Posted by: dagny at September 27, 2011 10:38 AM (hLGbM)
Posted by: the rest of the world at September 27, 2011 10:38 AM (k1rwm)
Posted by: The terrorist Hobbit formerly known as Donna at September 27, 2011 10:38 AM (5Wl/f)
Once they try to shoot something, they've blown their wad. Are these things easy to aim so they can acquire a target?
Posted by: grognard at September 27, 2011 10:39 AM (NS2Mo)
Good God, man! Be careful with your typos, because that one produced a horrible image!
Posted by: Meiczyslaw at September 27, 2011 02:37 PM (bjRNS)
Go with "pollinating" - it takes longer to connect the dots ...
Posted by: No Whining at September 27, 2011 10:39 AM (7GfKM)
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 10:39 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: dagny at September 27, 2011 10:39 AM (hLGbM)
See. Perspective makes things better.
Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at September 27, 2011 10:40 AM (jx2j9)
Here's the bottom line.
When you have a nation that has been ruled by a cruel dictator for decades, there is a REASON. The reason is that the people in that country are so fucking crazy that it takes a cruel dictator to rule them. You artificially remove the dictator and all you have left is the fucking crazies with no one holding their leash.
And now we reap the whirlwind.
Posted by: Bill Mitchell at September 27, 2011 10:40 AM (uVlA4)
Posted by: George Orwell what knows Obama is a stuttering clusterfuck of a miserable failure at September 27, 2011 10:40 AM (AZGON)
Once they try to shoot something, they've blown their wad. Are these things easy to aim so they can acquire a target?
I believe they're heat-seeking. So easy a NASA outreach muslim can fire them.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 10:40 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 10:40 AM (eOXTH)
Posted by: Thunderbuzzard at September 27, 2011 10:41 AM (OlN4e)
Posted by: Berserker at September 27, 2011 10:41 AM (FMbng)
Posted by: George Orwell what knows Obama is a stuttering clusterfuck of a miserable failure at September 27, 2011 10:42 AM (AZGON)
Posted by: t-bird at September 27, 2011 10:42 AM (FcR7P)
Now the pilot has to jink for SAMs.
Posted by: Arms Merchant at September 27, 2011 10:42 AM (kPT11)
Posted by: the rest of the world at September 27, 2011 10:42 AM (k1rwm)
Posted by: The terrorist Hobbit formerly known as Donna at September 27, 2011 10:42 AM (5Wl/f)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 10:43 AM (eOXTH)
Posted by: grognard at September 27, 2011 10:43 AM (NS2Mo)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 10:44 AM (eOXTH)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 10:44 AM (i6RpT)
Not Quite OT
Iran is threatening to station it's warships off the US coast.
What could possibly go wrong
Posted by: trainer at September 27, 2011 10:44 AM (Rojyk)
Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at September 27, 2011 10:44 AM (iAUf+)
Posted by: Vinnie from Bayonne at September 27, 2011 10:44 AM (136wp)
Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at September 27, 2011 10:45 AM (cbyrC)
Just sayin'
Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at September 27, 2011 10:45 AM (jx2j9)
I know you are a PPS. However, I assume they have libraries in Phoenix and you are willing to leave your closet that is the size of my apartment. Go to the library and do the research. You will be shocked at how absolutely heinous your remarks about this have been.
Posted by: the rest of the world at September 27, 2011 10:45 AM (k1rwm)
Posted by: willow at September 27, 2011 10:45 AM (h+qn8)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 10:45 AM (i6RpT)
Posted by: E. J. Dionne at September 27, 2011 10:46 AM (AZGON)
Posted by: spongeworthy at September 27, 2011 10:46 AM (rplL3)
""Iran is threatening to station it's warships off the US coast.
What could possibly go wrong""
For us? Nothing, absolutely nothing. For them? Hell on the high seas.
Posted by: Berserker at September 27, 2011 10:46 AM (FMbng)
What could possibly go wrong
Posted by: trainer at September 27, 2011 02:44 PM (Rojyk)
Fishing nets would get stuck on sunken Iranian ships?
Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at September 27, 2011 10:46 AM (jx2j9)
Iran is threatening to station it's warships off the US coast. What could possibly go wrong?
The world's biggest boat-to-boat party thrown by Jimmy Buffet?
Posted by: The Robot Devil at September 27, 2011 10:46 AM (136wp)
Posted by: willow at September 27, 2011 10:47 AM (h+qn8)
Posted by: Barkey Jugears at September 27, 2011 10:47 AM (mQMnK)
I'm guessing we'll have a few more artificial reefs when they hit inclement weather.
Posted by: Meiczyslaw at September 27, 2011 10:47 AM (bjRNS)
Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at September 27, 2011 02:45 PM (jx2j9)
Because the first one was such a seminal event in Arab history.
Posted by: No Whining at September 27, 2011 10:47 AM (7GfKM)
Not Quite OT
Iran is threatening to station it's warships off the US coast.
What could possibly go wrong
Posted by: trainer at September 27, 2011 02:44 PM (Rojyk)
This particular threat is hollow bravado.
However, it is Iran's unmarked ships (such as cargo ships containing modified Shahab-3 missiles) that concern me.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at September 27, 2011 10:47 AM (9hSKh)
Adding to the urgency is the fact that America's passenger jets, like those of most countries, are sitting ducks, despite years of warning about the missile threat. Since the 1970s, according to the U.S. State Department, more than 40 civilian planes around the world have been hit by surface-to-air missiles. In 2003, Iraqi insurgents hit a DHL cargo plane with a missile in Baghdad. Though on fire, the plane was able to land safely. Four years later, militants knocked a Russian-built cargo plane out of the sky over Somalia, killing all 11 crew members.
Now there are calls in Congress to give jets that fly overseas the same protection military aircraft have.
"I think we should ensure that the wide-bodied planes all have this protection," said Sen. Boxer, who first spoke to ABC News about the surface-to-air security threat in 2006. "And that's a little more than 500 of these planes."
According to Boxer, it would cost about a million dollars a plane for a system that has been installed and successfully tested over the last few years, directing a laser beam into the incoming missile.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 10:47 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at September 27, 2011 10:48 AM (cbyrC)
Well, we were planning to use this as justification to strip-search fourteen year olds with our penises.
Posted by: The TSA at September 27, 2011 10:48 AM (FkKjr)
Posted by: crazy barry's discount emporium at September 27, 2011 10:48 AM (GTbGH)
Dead Iranian sailors would start fouling the beaches of the Kennedy compound?
Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at September 27, 2011 10:48 AM (jx2j9)
That's the system working
Posted by: Janet Napolitano, security genius at September 27, 2011 10:48 AM (sOXQX)
Posted by: joncelli at September 27, 2011 10:49 AM (RD7QR)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 10:49 AM (eOXTH)
Posted by: Meiczyslaw at September 27, 2011 10:49 AM (bjRNS)
SCOAMF stuttering clusterfu*k of a miserable failure.
Posted by: The Robot Devil at September 27, 2011 10:50 AM (136wp)
What could possibly go wrong
Posted by: trainer at September 27, 2011 02:44 PM (Rojyk)
It will certainly make off-shore fishing more "interesting" off coastal Georgia. Yay.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 10:50 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: Thunderbuzzard at September 27, 2011 10:51 AM (OlN4e)
You are too stupid and self absorbed to even bother responding to. I bet you are the blond type who has mirrors all over her house so you can look at yourself and admire yourself all the time. After all, having a closet bigger than my apartment makes you just so privileged even if you live in a boring place.
Posted by: the rest of the world at September 27, 2011 10:51 AM (k1rwm)
"20,000 Surface-to-Air Missiles Missing in Libya"
The amount of damage this could do is incalculable... planes worth hundreds of millions of dollars shot out of the sky...
Which means this could wind up being the mother of all stimulus packages.
Awesome...
Posted by: Paul Krugman at September 27, 2011 10:52 AM (Y2WVW)
Posted by: DarkLord© sez Obama is a stuttering clusterf--- of a miserable failure
Oh, and F--- Nevada and t at September 27, 2011 10:52 AM (GBXon)
Posted by: the rest of the world at September 27, 2011 10:52 AM (k1rwm)
Posted by: Blue Falcon in Boston training for the ONT mudwrestling match at September 27, 2011 10:52 AM (ijjAe)
Posted by: Fritz at September 27, 2011 10:52 AM (FabC8)
If an Iranian fleet is torpedoed happens to sink during hurricane season in the middle of the Atlantic and no one else is within a couple of hundred miles, does anyone hear the distress calls?
Posted by: Methos at September 27, 2011 10:53 AM (sOXQX)
Also, we'll have to attach them to Rosie O'Donnell's ass in case the a fired missile diverts (to protect innocent bystanders)
Posted by: The Robot Devil at September 27, 2011 10:53 AM (136wp)
Posted by: joncelli at September 27, 2011 10:53 AM (RD7QR)
""Iran is threatening to station it's warships off the US coast.
What could possibly go wrong""
- For us? Nothing, absolutely nothing. For them? Hell on the high seas.- Dead Iranian sailors would start fouling the beaches of the Kennedy compound?
- It will certainly make off-shore fishing more "interesting" off coastal Georgia. Yay.
Are you guys forgetting who the CiC is?
Also, our increasingly diverse Navy now sees itself as "a global force for good."
Posted by: Bomber at September 27, 2011 10:53 AM (qzoN5)
Posted by: Raving Lunatic at September 27, 2011 10:53 AM (reXpC)
Very few. Remember those two that went through the Suez canal a few months ago? Surely they were the pride of the Iranian fleet...
Hell, the Mossad spy-sharks near Egypt could have taken care of them.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at September 27, 2011 10:53 AM (9hSKh)
Posted by: Dave in Texas at September 27, 2011 10:53 AM (WvXvd)
Yeah. Their flagship went through the Suez Canal about a year back, and there was a suggestion to create a photo op, with the flagship in the foreground and an Arleigh Burke destroyer in the background.
The destroyer displaces something like ten times what the Iranian flagship does.
Sadly, the SCOAMF (nor his flunkies) took advantage.
Posted by: Meiczyslaw at September 27, 2011 10:54 AM (bjRNS)
Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at September 27, 2011 10:54 AM (cbyrC)
Posted by: DarkLord© sez Obama is a stuttering clusterf--- of a miserable failure
Oh, and F--- Nevada and t at September 27, 2011 10:54 AM (GBXon)
Posted by: President Slappy McWarmonger at September 27, 2011 10:54 AM (FabC8)
maybe so, however, They sure are becoming bold in their rhetoric, I guess they sense weakness.
Posted by: willow at September 27, 2011 10:54 AM (h+qn8)
Curious:
You are a troll that has overstayed its welcome. Take a hint; the regulars don't like you.
Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop at September 27, 2011 10:55 AM (OcJMy)
You mean if an EA-6B leaves it jammers on by mistake?
Posted by: The Robot Devil at September 27, 2011 10:55 AM (136wp)
Why, to save them for "our rebels," so they could establish control over Libya, of course.
No matter that that these guys are 3 to 1 odds to turn out to be Muslim Brotherhood, Al Qaeda, or both.
Posted by: Arms Merchant at September 27, 2011 10:55 AM (kPT11)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 10:56 AM (eOXTH)
Posted by: pheonixgirl at September 27, 2011 10:56 AM (zGmJz)
Fans of Sayyid Qutb, at any rate.
Posted by: Meiczyslaw at September 27, 2011 10:56 AM (bjRNS)
Posted by: Sen. John McCain at September 27, 2011 10:57 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: the rest of the world at September 27, 2011 02:51 PM (k1rwm)
Did someone call me?
Posted by: Officer Paddy O'Irony, at the donut shop at September 27, 2011 10:57 AM (sOXQX)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 10:57 AM (i6RpT)
Posted by: Jones still hung up on the Britishisms at September 27, 2011 10:57 AM (8sCoq)
Posted by: willow at September 27, 2011 10:57 AM (h+qn8)
FRONT TOWARD LEFT at September 27, 2011 02:54 PM (cbyrC)
Yeah, when I was writting that, I was thinking about him and his crazy broken windows theory.
I also was sure that someone was going to beat me to the punch on that gag.
Posted by: ed at September 27, 2011 10:58 AM (Y2WVW)
Iran has ocean-going ships?
Yes and like some liberal college girls, they go down real easy
it's important to scrape their bottoms occasionally to keep them clean
Posted by: Jones at September 27, 2011 10:58 AM (8sCoq)
Posted by: willow at September 27, 2011 02:57 PM (h+qn
You're on to us!!
Posted by: Eric Holder and SCOAMF at September 27, 2011 10:58 AM (UOM48)
Actually, Russian weapons are darn simple to operate. Design philosophy is that they are for the lowest common denominator, the former Soviet conscript.
Posted by: Arms Merchant at September 27, 2011 10:59 AM (kPT11)
Posted by: Officer Paddy O'Irony, at the donut shop at September 27, 2011 02:57 PM (sOXQX)
Cousin! stop by for barbecue sometime!
Posted by: Paddy O'Furniture at September 27, 2011 10:59 AM (136wp)
Posted by: FRONT TOWARD LEFT at September 27, 2011 11:00 AM (cbyrC)
Posted by: blaster at September 27, 2011 11:00 AM (l5dj7)
Living on the Jersey shore as I do, I love to watch the Warthogs practice their anti-tank loops up and down the beach. They target the lifesaver's perches which are set a few hundred yards apart. Dive down on one and loop around to the next, over and over, corkswrewing up the beach.
With an Airforce Base and a Naval Air Base about 15 miles inland, it always makes for some crowded skys.
Might be fun some day to see a smudge on the horizon that use to be the pride of the Iranian Navy.
Posted by: trainer at September 27, 2011 11:00 AM (Rojyk)
Posted by: kurious at September 27, 2011 11:01 AM (ggRof)
The announcement itself? Yes, it is nothing but a bunch of hot air - the US military could sink the entire Iranian fleet and destroy their supporting assets within 24 to 48 hours at most - basically Operation Praying Mantis redux.
maybe so, however, They sure are becoming bold in their rhetoric, I guess they sense weakness.
Yes, that it what makes this kind of one-upsmanship, as hollow as it may be, so dangerous. If I was in charge of Iran right now, I would make these kind of grandiose claims but continue to improve my ballistic missile and nuclear weapons capabilities quietly on the side, as they would be my big Ace in the Hole once the shooting begins.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at September 27, 2011 11:01 AM (9hSKh)
that must be a pain.....how unfair......Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 11:01 AM (eOXTH)
Curious:
You are a troll that has overstayed its welcome. Take a hint; the regulars don't like you.
Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop
I think we should start calling her/it Sybil. These recent comments are from personalities #15- 23.
Posted by: Blue Hen at September 27, 2011 11:02 AM (6rX0K)
Where's my check? My inflatable girlfriend isn't going to blow herself up.
Posted by: stalin's poo at September 27, 2011 11:02 AM (sOXQX)
Posted by: obama at September 27, 2011 11:02 AM (i6RpT)
Shit, why isn't she concerned that *100* of these might be used to shoot down airliners?
Posted by: blaster at September 27, 2011 03:00 PM (l5dj7)
Jeebus. Imagine 100 airliners shot down with an average of 300 people on board each one.
Posted by: Eric Holder and SCOAMF at September 27, 2011 11:02 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: Defense Briefing at September 27, 2011 11:02 AM (FcR7P)
Opinion: No. See hole in head.
“Any future defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Africa should have his head examined.” The same applies to those arguing to the contrary.
Obama et enablers are stuttering clüsterfuks of misery and failure.
Posted by: Sec./Defense Gates 2011 at September 27, 2011 11:03 AM (lpWVn)
you hate blonds too? why? are you one of those hairy girls that have to shave their mustaches? fingers and toes? that must be a pain.....how unfair......
Cat fight!
Posted by: The terrorist Hobbit formerly known as Donna at September 27, 2011 11:03 AM (5Wl/f)
oh bad, but i laughed.
Posted by: willow at September 27, 2011 11:03 AM (h+qn8)
Fixed.
Posted by: Waterhouse at September 27, 2011 11:04 AM (16lYZ)
171 Good news, sir, we have secured Ford from running those ads...
And the USMC has vowed to be number one is gay hipster recruitment.
Posted by: Thunderbuzzard at September 27, 2011 11:05 AM (OlN4e)
Posted by: tasker at September 27, 2011 11:05 AM (rJVPU)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 11:05 AM (i6RpT)
The Downfall parodies have such traction in my household that I heard some SCOAMF goofiness the other day and then turned to my wife:
Mein fuerher ... Steiner ...
Posted by: Meiczyslaw at September 27, 2011 11:06 AM (bjRNS)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 11:07 AM (i6RpT)
Posted by: blaster at September 27, 2011 11:07 AM (l5dj7)
Posted by: Honey Badger ben Janitor at September 27, 2011 11:08 AM (GvYeG)
183 Posted by: trainer at September 27, 2011 03:00 PM
Shit, what beach is that?
Seaside Hieghts. I live at the foot of the bridge between the strand and the mainland.
Posted by: trainer at September 27, 2011 11:09 AM (Rojyk)
Could =/= would. Not with the current leadership.
Posted by: Bomber at September 27, 2011 11:09 AM (qzoN5)
Once they try to shoot something, they've blown their wad. Are these things easy to aim so they can acquire a target?
Posted by: grognard at September 27, 2011 0 Meh. The instructions are all in
Russian. They'll never figure out how to shoot the damn things.
Posted by: Dave in Texas at September 27, 2011 02:53 PM (WvXvd)
2:39 PM (NS2Mo)
This is a weapons-wise region of the world. Besides, they have 19,999 times to learn before they could shoot an American airliner out of the sky. And all of us know there's some of these missiles already on ships coming to places like Guatemala or Mexico, to be smuggled into the US. Easy peazy, as porous as our borders are.
I think Tom Clancy pretty well covered all of this in his last book.
Posted by: Soona - Tearorrist at September 27, 2011 11:10 AM (OnmFq)
Posted by: blaster at September 27, 2011 03:07 PM (l5dj7)
What if an El Al jet is in mid-takeoff? Let's say a Pali has a SAM on a nearby hillside? Isn't that too close for the airliner to avoid a hit?
(I'm just a moronette so I need 'splainin' to.)
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 11:10 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: Methos at September 27, 2011 02:53 PM (sOXQX)
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la!
Posted by: US Naval officers looking quizzically at each other while monitoring distress frequency at September 27, 2011 11:10 AM (tQHzJ)
Posted by: Honey Badger ben Janitor at September 27, 2011 11:10 AM (GvYeG)
Posted by: Ach, mein dinner job at September 27, 2011 11:12 AM (lpWVn)
Iran is threatening to station it's warships off the US coast.
What could possibly go wrong
Posted by: trainer at September 27, 2011 02:44 PM (Rojyk)
I actually laughed when I read this. Iran wants to break our balls by stationing it's warships off of OUR coast? I didn't even know they had warships. Bring it on.
Posted by: joejm65 at September 27, 2011 11:14 AM (UZuc4)
Posted by: Joe "Choo-choo" Biden at September 27, 2011 11:14 AM (FcR7P)
Posted by: Babs Boxer at September 27, 2011 11:14 AM (rJVPU)
Doesn't everybody have to shave their toes ...?
What self-respecting Hobbit would do such a thing?
Posted by: Scott J at September 27, 2011 11:15 AM (/bVuS)
Any Iranian ship within 500 miles of our coast would have a silent and invisable visitor following in it's wake.
Bubbleheads luv them some live target practice. They so rarely get to do it. Shit, it would everybody plus the Sea Scouts fighting over who gets to do what to who.
Posted by: trainer at September 27, 2011 11:15 AM (Rojyk)
yeah I know we have some bases in the shore area, I was curious to what beach has warthogs dive bombing lifeguard stations. I'm close to the shore, and I figured it would be cool to just go watch that and imagine david hasselhoff sitting in one when the A-10s came in. lol
I think we just close some shore area base a few days ago. Stupid move.
Posted by: Berserker at September 27, 2011 11:15 AM (FMbng)
we shouldn't jump to the wrong conclusions.
give spring a chance
Posted by: a liberal at September 27, 2011 11:15 AM (h+qn8)
Posted by: Navycopjoe at September 27, 2011 11:16 AM (9XhQm)
Posted by: George Orwell what knows Obama is a stuttering clusterfuck of a miserable failure at September 27, 2011 11:16 AM (AZGON)
Hmm..linky (to a video) might be semi-safe for work, so treat it accordingly.
Women of The IDF Out Of Uniform and In BIKINI'S ((NEW))
I also cannot verify the authenticity of the women either. YMMV.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at September 27, 2011 11:16 AM (9hSKh)
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 11:17 AM (UOM48)
Kratos, I'm so disappointed in you!
Posted by: EC at September 27, 2011 11:18 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Richard McEnroe at September 27, 2011 11:19 AM (qvify)
Posted by: RioBravo at September 27, 2011 11:19 AM (eEfYn)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 11:19 AM (eOXTH)
Posted by: HappyGoLucky at September 27, 2011 11:19 AM (be5IN)
210 So if an airliner goes down due to one of these SAMs, SCOAMF takes the blame, right?
Why would he take the blame for what is obviously Teaparty induced violence?
After F&F, I wonder if ATF bought the missles and sold them to Al Qaeda.
Posted by: Thunderbuzzard at September 27, 2011 11:20 AM (OlN4e)
Posted by: Navycopjoe at September 27, 2011 11:21 AM (9XhQm)
My family is only a couple miles from that bridge inland.Its nice there.
Posted by: Berserker at September 27, 2011 11:21 AM (FMbng)
Posted by: Richard McEnroe at September 27, 2011 03:19 PM (qvify)
Didn't they contemplate putting flares on commercial airliners but decided that would be some kind of invitation to launch on passenger craft?
I seem to remember something stupid like that.
Posted by: © Sponge at September 27, 2011 11:22 AM (UK9cE)
Only 10k missiles instead of 20k, just one being enough to take down an airliner. I feel safer already.
Posted by: EC at September 27, 2011 11:22 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 03:17 PM (UOM4
Ya' know. If I'm on that airliner, I probably won't give a shit who gets the blame.
Posted by: Soona - Tearorrist at September 27, 2011 11:22 AM (OnmFq)
Sooner or later, even evil, money grubbing, tax evading, unfairly taxed rich people say, “Huh?”
Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at September 27, 2011 11:22 AM (jx2j9)
This is a weapons-wise region of the world. Besides, they have 19,999 times to learn before they could shoot an American airliner out of the sky. And all of us know there's some of these missiles already on ships coming to places like Guatemala or Mexico, to be smuggled into the US. Easy peazy, as porous as our borders are.
persons engaged in such actions are to be referred to as 'undocumented air traffic controllers.'
Also: We can't expect to round up all 20,000, so we need to grant an amnesty.
Posted by: Blue Hen has gone PC at September 27, 2011 11:23 AM (326rv)
"We are talking about some 20,000 surface-to-air missiles in all of Libya, and I've seen cars packed with them." he said. "They could turn all of North Africa into a no-fly zone."
And this would be discernibly worse than Africa already is... how, exactly?
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:23 AM (Iaxlk)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 11:23 AM (i6RpT)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 11:24 AM (eOXTH)
And yeah, I know. *beats tired head against desk*
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 11:24 AM (UOM48)
Ted Leonsis said, "huh?" too but still cut him a check.
Posted by: EC at September 27, 2011 11:24 AM (GQ8sn)
226 Didn't they contemplate putting flares on commercial airliners but decided that would be some kind of invitation to launch on passenger craft?
I seem to remember something stupid like that.
Posted by: © Sponge at September 27, 2011 03:22 PM (UK9cE)
Of course not, don't exagerate! It's just that the the flares could not meet EPA emissions standards.
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:25 AM (Iaxlk)
"We are talking about some 20,000 surface-to-air missiles in all of Libya, and I've seen cars packed with them." he said. "They could turn all of North Africa into a no-fly zone."
And this would be discernibly worse than Africa already is... how, exactly?
Posted by: CoolCzech
On the bright side, they now have a replacement for DDT in combating mosquitos.
Posted by: When you have a hammer..... at September 27, 2011 11:25 AM (326rv)
It will be with one of these SAMs up our ass, I'm sure of it. SCOAMF has nowhere to hide on this fuck up.
What can possible go wrong???
Posted by: mpfs. TPT at September 27, 2011 11:26 AM (iYbLN)
Posted by: RioBravo at September 27, 2011 11:26 AM (eEfYn)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 11:26 AM (eOXTH)
Posted by: mpfs. TPT at September 27, 2011 11:27 AM (iYbLN)
Also: We can't expect to round up all 20,000, so we need to grant an amnesty.
Posted by: Blue Hen has gone PC at September 27, 2011 03:23 PM (326rv)
For every air-to-air missile turned in, the person will get a free microwave.
Posted by: Soona - Tearorrist at September 27, 2011 11:27 AM (OnmFq)
We're doomed.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 11:27 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: Roy at September 27, 2011 11:27 AM (VndSC)
So if an airliner goes down due to one of these SAMs, SCOAMF takes the blame, right?
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 03:17 PM (UOM4
Obama has a sign on his desk that reads, "The Buck Stops with Bush."
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:28 AM (Iaxlk)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 11:28 AM (eOXTH)
Posted by: mpfs. TPT at September 27, 2011 11:28 AM (iYbLN)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 03:23 PM (i6RpT)
Well, they're not stupid like the Americans, so, I expect that.
I thought there was something in the past that American and others thought about putting something in place, but were told they couldn't because that would change it's status from passenger to something else.
I guess I'm mistaken.
Posted by: © Sponge at September 27, 2011 11:29 AM (UK9cE)
On the bright side, they now have a replacement for DDT in combating mosquitos.
Posted by: When you have a hammer..... at September 27, 2011 03:25 PM (326rv)
Mosquitos are probably our best weapon for taking out budding terrorists in Africa.
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:30 AM (Iaxlk)
With global terrorism presenting increasing threats to civil aviation, an Israeli company has unveiled a system designed to protect commercial airliners from missiles.
Elop, a subsidiary of privately-owned Elbit Systems Ltd., offered the visitors at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday a full-scale model of C-MUSIC (Commercial Multi-Spectral Infrared Countermeasures System), a device which is said to be able to knock down shoulder-launched, heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles.
Typical thinking on Achmeds part.
"And we will drive the infidels from the skies"
"No you fool, we just gave the Joooo's another way to make money"
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at September 27, 2011 11:30 AM (Jp67i)
Now there are calls in Congress to give jets that fly overseas the same protection military aircraft have.
"I think we should ensure that the wide-bodied planes all have this protection," said Sen. Boxer, who first spoke to ABC News about the surface-to-air security threat in 2006. "And that's a little more than 500 of these planes."
According to Boxer, it would cost about a million dollars a plane for a system that has been installed and successfully tested over the last few years, directing a laser beam into the incoming missile.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 11:31 AM (UOM48)
Channel 9 (WUSA) reports a memo made the rounds in the GSA building, warning people not to flush.
"Do NOT flush toilets or use any domestic water," Channel 9 quotes the memo as saying.
The toilet was wrestled to the ground by DHS agents, no doubt.
Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at September 27, 2011 11:31 AM (e8kgV)
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:31 AM (Iaxlk)
Posted by: tasker at September 27, 2011 03:05 PM (rJVPU)
Lenin said "The Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them."
That did not really work... so now we sell rope to other countrys to hang capitalists with...
Progress!
Posted by: Boris Bandinov, KGB Ret. at September 27, 2011 11:31 AM (NtXW4)
Posted by: blaster at September 27, 2011 11:31 AM (l5dj7)
Posted by: Auntie Entity at September 27, 2011 11:32 AM (FU3yL)
For the return, take one of the "side" crossings, not the Champlain one at the interstate down from Montreal into NY, but one of the little ones E or W. Into Brownsville, TX, don't use the big International Bridge crossing. Go to the sleepier one a little up the river.
Anything to declare? No, we was just doing a little partying.
Now, meet up with the bad guy who runs you. He has ideas for the stingers.
Posted by: I'm in a New York state of mind at September 27, 2011 11:32 AM (4sQwu)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 11:32 AM (8y9MW)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 11:33 AM (i6RpT)
I guess I'm mistaken.
Posted by: © Sponge at September 27, 2011 03:29 PM (UK9cE)
I think the main reason is that it would be too expensive to retro-fit our airliners. Very very expensive.
Posted by: Soona - Tearorrist at September 27, 2011 11:33 AM (OnmFq)
That shit ain't funny. And I'm too old for it.
Posted by: Roger Murtaugh at September 27, 2011 11:34 AM (sOXQX)
Nah, it was a shoulder-fired bidet.
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:34 AM (Iaxlk)
Posted by: Dang at September 27, 2011 11:34 AM (TXKVh)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 11:34 AM (i6RpT)
IIRC, the air-sorties by NATO were above the range of these missiles.
Another question is why these surface-to-air missiles weren't moved or even destroyed when Col Crazy's forces withdrew.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at September 27, 2011 11:34 AM (9hSKh)
Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at September 27, 2011 11:35 AM (jx2j9)
Posted by: mpfs. TPT at September 27, 2011 03:27 PM (iYbLN)
This is what happens when you put a Political Spy in charge of the Pentagon... and a Military General in charge of the spys at the CIA...
When you consider areas of expertise... where they actualy set up to fail???
Posted by: Boris Bandinov, KGB Ret. at September 27, 2011 11:35 AM (NtXW4)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 11:36 AM (eOXTH)
Posted by: Dang at September 27, 2011 03:34 PM (TXKVh)
Well no wonder no one noticed... they thought it was part of an urban renewal program.
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:36 AM (Iaxlk)
That begs the question: are Anti-Aircraft missiles (the shoulder-launched variety, anyway) now more-or-less obsolete? Since we can lock onto a target from way, way farther than one of these can lock onto our plane, fire, and be headed back to the airfield or carrier long before we're even seen, what's the point?
Or are they just used for helicopters and close support craft?
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 11:37 AM (8y9MW)
Posted by: phoenixgirl
of course not. They have strict gun control laws there.
Posted by: Either I have a concussion or I'm a Dem at September 27, 2011 11:37 AM (6rX0K)
Posted by: HappyGoLucky at September 27, 2011 11:37 AM (be5IN)
Posted by: joeindc44 at September 27, 2011 11:38 AM (QxSug)
Of course, if my plane was hit by one I'd be pretty damn terrorized. But I'd most likely survive.
Posted by: Ace's liver at September 27, 2011 11:38 AM (1+XRG)
Wait a minute... are you saying Obama decided to assist the Libyan rebels without a plan to keep Daffy's advanced weapons out of the hands of terrorists?
How did those devils Bush and Cheney make him forget to do that? Bastards!
Posted by: sherlock at September 27, 2011 11:38 AM (ROXo4)
Posted by: Thunderbuzzard at September 27, 2011 11:38 AM (OlN4e)
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 03:31 PM (UOM4
I almost never get them to work right.
Posted by: © Sponge at September 27, 2011 11:39 AM (UK9cE)
"...an estimated 20,000 portable, heat-seeking missiles have gone missing from unguarded Army weapons warehouses."
...and just the other day, the New York City Police Commissioner said in an interview that the NYPD has added the capability to shoot down aircraft to its anti-terror program. (Seriously, he did)
Hmmm....
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:39 AM (Iaxlk)
Clearly the Russians sold these missiles to Qaddafi before Obama took office. Therefore, it's Bush's fault.
Posted by: Typical libtard at September 27, 2011 11:40 AM (piR98)
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 03:31 PM (UOM4
Oh, they're usually OK, if they don't load up on the garlic.
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:40 AM (Iaxlk)
Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at September 27, 2011 03:31 PM (e8kgV)
Of course! And then it was repeatedly raped since we're jealous of the TSA getting to do that on a daily basis.
Posted by: DHS at September 27, 2011 11:40 AM (ggRof)
Posted by: Richard McEnroe at September 27, 2011 11:40 AM (qvify)
Posted by: Dang at September 27, 2011 03:34 PM (TXKVh)
What I find interesting about the Satty hit...
I'm a Retired US Navy Electronics Tech... who worked with radars for a lot of years...
How in the heck was it NOT tracked? Especialy coming in on that track??? You know, one of the tracks that Missiles would have taken from the old Soviet Union?
Or do we not worry about that little thing anymore???
Posted by: Romeo13 at September 27, 2011 11:41 AM (NtXW4)
Posted by: Ace's liver at September 27, 2011 03:38 PM (1+XRG)
Well of course you would. You must be nigh invulnerable in the first place.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 11:41 AM (8y9MW)
Clearly the Russians sold these missiles to Qaddafi before Obama took office. Therefore, it's Bush's fault.
Posted by: Typical libtard at September 27, 2011 03:40 PM (piR9
They only did that because Bush invaded Iraq.
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:41 AM (Iaxlk)
Of course, if my plane was hit by one I'd be pretty damn terrorized. But I'd most likely survive.
Posted by: Ace's liver at September 27, 2011 03:38 PM (1+XRG)
Are you willing to bet your life or the lives of your family and friends on that premise?
Posted by: Soona - Tearorrist at September 27, 2011 11:41 AM (OnmFq)
I think the main reason is that it would be too expensive to retro-fit our airliners. Very very expensive.
Posted by: Soona - Tearorrist at September 27, 2011 03:33 PM (OnmFq)
That's no excuse. They would be mandated and installed by the Federal Government and they have unlimited resources, don't they?
Posted by: © Sponge at September 27, 2011 11:42 AM (UK9cE)
That begs the question: are Anti-Aircraft missiles (the shoulder-launched variety, anyway) now more-or-less obsolete? Since we can lock onto a target from way, way farther than one of these can lock onto our plane, fire, and be headed back to the airfield or carrier long before we're even seen, what's the point?
Or are they just used for helicopters and close support craft?
Posted by: AllenG
Such missiles are quite effective in fun areas where low level missions are called for. And as we've seen, even advanced nations have limited supplies of advanced munitions that can be effectively released above 11,000. I suspect that the NATO altitude policy was at least in part due to the existence of such missiles.
These also supposedly had a morale factor, since they could be issued to infantry so that they had something with which to fire back at aircraft (I agree with this based upon personal experience, though I never went near combat). Sitting in a hole with nothing but an M-16 sucks.
Even now, these would be brutal near airports, especially civilian airports.
Posted by: Blue Hen at September 27, 2011 11:42 AM (6rX0K)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 11:42 AM (i6RpT)
Oh, we don't know yet. But we're back to the same game again - the banks have been lying about their exposure, claiming it's "only" 21% when the market says its twice that or more. The Greeks have been saying 100 billion, then 172, and now.... who knows!
Dow off about 70 points from where it was when I started reading the article over at market-ticker.org.
Posted by: Methos at September 27, 2011 11:42 AM (sOXQX)
You know, that SCOAMF guy is just pretty damned weird when it comes right down to it. Scary weird.
Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at September 27, 2011 11:42 AM (jx2j9)
Posted by: Talibill at September 27, 2011 11:43 AM (WEWGu)
Posted by: Thunderbuzzard at September 27, 2011 11:44 AM (OlN4e)
Posted by: NY Times at September 27, 2011 11:44 AM (Y+DPZ)
Posted by: Jean at September 27, 2011 11:44 AM (kUxiO)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 03:42 PM (i6RpT)
I heard John Gambling on the radio speculating that is what it was... but who knows?
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:45 AM (Iaxlk)
Even now, these would be brutal near airports, especially civilian airports.
Posted by: Blue Hen at September 27, 2011 03:42 PM (6rX0K)
Okay, true. I guess I was talking about military applications- just about anything, imaginatively used, can be a terror weapon.
I remember my dad talking about the LAAW in Vietnam: he absolutely hated the things. "Unreliable and worthless" were about the nicest things he said about them. I'm wondering if the shoulder-mounted anti-aircraft missile has moved into that same "worthless" category.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 11:45 AM (8y9MW)
“buy African American”
Perhaps, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Enron) is unaware that slavery is outlawed in all 57 states in our nation.
Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at September 27, 2011 11:45 AM (e8kgV)
Posted by: Blue Hen at September 27, 2011 03:42 PM (6rX0K)
You also have to remember that they are not just looking at fighting us... but other less capable air forces as well...
Against the Third World Air Forces, these missles are a real deterent.
Posted by: Romeo13 at September 27, 2011 11:46 AM (NtXW4)
Posted by: HappyGoLucky at September 27, 2011 11:46 AM (be5IN)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 11:47 AM (i6RpT)
Texas spending per student is 44th in the nation ranking of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Texas ranks last in the nation — 51st — in the percentage of adults with high school diplomas.
Posted by: Rick Perry at September 27, 2011 11:49 AM (lpWVn)
Posted by: t-bird at September 27, 2011 11:50 AM (FcR7P)
I remember my dad talking about the LAAW in Vietnam: he absolutely hated the things. "Unreliable and worthless" were about the nicest things he said about them. I'm wondering if the shoulder-mounted anti-aircraft missile has moved into that same "worthless" category.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 03:45 PM (8y9MW)
I would think that with modern technology, they can be quite deadly. Someone really shit the bed.
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:51 AM (Iaxlk)
Posted by: Methos at September 27, 2011 11:51 AM (sOXQX)
Another question is why these surface-to-air missiles weren't moved or even destroyed when Col Crazy's forces withdrew.
I believe NATO helicopters were flying within range of these missiles (about 11,000 - 14,000 feet maximum altitude). (Real reason: They are Arabs and don't know what the hell they are doing.)
I suppose if I were a loyalist I would be more worried about myself that some missiles.
Some Rhodesian airliners were downed by early missiles (SA-7 shoulder-fired I believe) in the early '70's.
Posted by: RioBravo at September 27, 2011 11:52 AM (eEfYn)
Posted by: HappyGoLucky at September 27, 2011 03:46 PM (be5IN)
But if you arrive home in one piece, think how much more special and festive the holidays will be!
/s.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 11:52 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 11:52 AM (Iaxlk)
Texas spending per student is44th in the nation ranking of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Texas ranks last in the nation — 51st — in the percentage of adults with high school diplomas.
Posted by: Rick Perry at September 27, 2011 03:49 PM (lpWVn)
How many of those adults were born and raised in Mexico?
Posted by: Grey Fox at September 27, 2011 11:52 AM (rpcYO)
I remember my dad talking about the LAAW in Vietnam: he absolutely hated the things. "Unreliable and worthless" were about the nicest things he said about them. I'm wondering if the shoulder-mounted anti-aircraft missile has moved into that same "worthless" category.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 03:45 PM (8y9MW)
I remember firing those. We had one guy on the range during live fire whose rocket decided not to leave; a 'hangfire' so to speak. The thing was, the genius actually tried to puzzle it out, and looked up to find that the rest of us were running away from him. A range officer (from behind a berm) yelled at the idiot to toss it and run away from it. They later shot it at range to make it go boom. When they launched they could do some damage, but were probably not woth the expenditure, especially for those who had to carry them.
Posted by: Blue Hen at September 27, 2011 11:54 AM (6rX0K)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 11:54 AM (8y9MW)
I remember my dad talking about the LAAW in Vietnam: he absolutely hated the things. "Unreliable and worthless" were about the nicest things he said about them. I'm wondering if the shoulder-mounted anti-aircraft missile has moved into that same "worthless" category.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 03:45 PM (8y9MW)
The LAW had it's moments, both good and bad. They were a good bunker-buster, but the weather-proofing made some of them unreliable.-
The shoulder-mounted AA missile has been and always will be an effective weapon. Remember the Stingers we gave to Afghani rebels during the Russian invasion. It totally changed the Russians' air tactics.
And, the big plus, is that they're easily hidden. That's why in influx of them coming into the US could totally devastate the airline industry.
Posted by: Soona - Tearorrist at September 27, 2011 11:55 AM (OnmFq)
Posted by: Spiker at September 27, 2011 11:56 AM (uRPoU)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at September 27, 2011 11:56 AM (eOXTH)
Posted by: nevergiveup at September 27, 2011 11:56 AM (i6RpT)
Texas spending per student is44th in the nation ranking of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Texas ranks last in the nation — 51st — in the percentage of adults with high school diplomas.
Posted by: Rick Perry at September 27, 2011 03:49 PM
Then you have California with the top 10 in education spending and the bottom 10 in results.
Posted by: NY Times at September 27, 2011 11:56 AM (Y+DPZ)
Dad hated them because, in the jungle, they normally fired about 50% (his guesstimation), but you had to a) throw them away so they wouldn't go all 'splody right at your feet and then b) go gather them all up after a fire-fight so the VC wouldn't recover them and turn them into mines.
He preferred his rocket-launcher. Especially since someone else had to carry the ammo for it.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 11:56 AM (8y9MW)
Posted by: Johnnyreb at September 27, 2011 11:56 AM (NNrYJ)
Posted by: Rick Perry at September 27, 2011 03:49 PM (lpWVn)
Yet when broken down by ethnic category, Texas does pretty well Nationaly...
Its just that Hispanics NATIONWIDE rank low... so when you have more Hispanics, it weights the overall number down...
And there is NO coreltion between School Spending per student, and Student success...
There are things I don't like about Perry, but this is a false attack, IMO... Espcially in a thread talking about Libyan missles...
Troll much?
Posted by: Romeo13 at September 27, 2011 11:57 AM (NtXW4)
Posted by: Auntie Entity at September 27, 2011 11:58 AM (FU3yL)
Will the repercussions of this ill advised, farcical regime change ever stop raining down upon us? What a f-ing mess.
Better to have left Kadoofis in charge.
Posted by: Reactionary at September 27, 2011 11:58 AM (xUM1Q)
I still haven't seen a translation. Do they say, "Please don't shoot us?"
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 11:58 AM (8y9MW)
There are things I don't like about Perry, but this is a false attack, IMO... Espcially in a thread talking about Libyan missles...
Troll much?
Posted by: Romeo13
Well we were talking about duds and misfires, so this jagoff should fit right in.
Posted by: Blue Hen at September 27, 2011 11:58 AM (6rX0K)
If they're as inaccurate as some above say, then a dozen or so fired at a plane increases the odds that the target will get hit
Posted by: kbdabear at September 27, 2011 11:59 AM (Y+DPZ)
See, I thought that from the beginning. He was a barbaric dictator, but he was (by the standards of the region) more-or-less sane. We could be fairly sure he was never going to attack us, because he lived (lives?) in the same world we do, and knew (knows?) that he'd be creamed if it ever came to a fight.
I doubt if the MB have such clarity.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 12:00 PM (8y9MW)
I still haven't seen a translation. Do they say, "Please don't shoot us?"
The writings — which some have interpreted as being either Arabic or Arabic-type symbols — appeared to have been done with a chemical process that reveals the text once an auxiliary power unit is turned on and heats up the outside skin of the aircraft, according to Feldman.
Posted by: Auntie Entity at September 27, 2011 12:00 PM (FU3yL)
Posted by: Auntie Entity at September 27, 2011 03:58 PM (FU3yL)
I heard Rush or someone say they appear to be crossed Arab swords. Maybe it means "aim here."
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 12:01 PM (UOM48)
I heard John Gambling on the radio speculating that is what it was... but who knows?
Posted by: CoolCzech at September 27, 2011 03:45 PM (Iaxlk)
what did he say?
Posted by: the rest of the world at September 27, 2011 12:01 PM (k1rwm)
Posted by: kbdabear at September 27, 2011 03:59 PM (Y+DPZ)
Real biatch is that if they DON'T fire... no one would ever know the terrorist even tried...
They'll only get caught if they succeed in firing the dang things..
Posted by: Romeo13 at September 27, 2011 12:02 PM (NtXW4)
I still haven't seen a translation. Do they say, "Please don't shoot us?"
The writings — which some have interpreted as being either Arabic or Arabic-type symbols — appeared to have been done with a chemical process that reveals the text once an auxiliary power unit is turned on and heats up the outside skin of the aircraft, according to Feldman.
Posted by: Auntie Entity
possible translation: #*@!&@! infidel ice!
Posted by: Blue Hen at September 27, 2011 12:02 PM (326rv)
Posted by: chuck in st paul at September 27, 2011 12:02 PM (EhYdw)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at September 27, 2011 12:04 PM (SY2Kh)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 04:00 PM (8y9MW)
Personaly? I would have taken out Q-Duck, but left the system intact with one of his Sons in charge...
And made SURE that Son understood that what was done once, could be done again...
In some cultures, Respect MUST have a component of Fear in it.
Posted by: Romeo13 at September 27, 2011 12:04 PM (NtXW4)
Hey! Stop trying to mellow my harsh, man. We were having some good "doom and gloom" above.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) is tired beyond tired of the trolls at September 27, 2011 12:05 PM (8y9MW)
Yeah, we all know how well spending per student correlates with achievement.
Posted by: Waterhouse at September 27, 2011 12:05 PM (16lYZ)
Posted by: kbdabear at September 27, 2011 03:59 PM (Y+DPZ)
Go back upthread and read the Aviation Week excerpt posted there. There's really no better authority on this type of thing than Aviation Week. Then comment again.
Posted by: Soona - Tearorrist at September 27, 2011 12:05 PM (OnmFq)
Posted by: MrTea at September 27, 2011 12:07 PM (cZT2v)
Posted by: Hollowpoint at September 27, 2011 04:04 PM (SY2Kh)
Soooo... the American Taxpayer is paying for somthing because our Spy in Charge of the Pentagon (Panetta) did not have them blown in place?
/shakes head...
Staff IS Policy.... as an Admiral once told me...
So Staff who are Idiots? Placed into Decision making postions OUTSIDE their area of Expertise?
Recipie for Disaster... too bad the Repubs in the Senate have no Cojones so they could have blocked a clearly unqualified person from being in Charge of Defense.
Posted by: Romeo13 at September 27, 2011 12:08 PM (NtXW4)
Posted by: oh brother at September 27, 2011 12:09 PM (k1rwm)
Posted by: MrTea
Well played sir!
Posted by: Blue Hen at September 27, 2011 12:09 PM (6rX0K)
Posted by: OxyCon at September 27, 2011 12:09 PM (ndJwD)
Go back upthread and read the Aviation Week excerpt posted there. There's really no better authority on this type of thing than Aviation Week. Then comment again.
Posted by: Soona - Tearorrist at September 27, 2011 04:05 PMThanks ... pretty alarming
Posted by: kbdabear at September 27, 2011 12:10 PM (Y+DPZ)
Posted by: mpfs, TPT at September 27, 2011 12:15 PM (iYbLN)
Posted by: Jean at September 27, 2011 12:18 PM (ilc7b)
Posted by: oh brother at September 27, 2011 04:09 PM (k1rwm)
You really are clueless, aren't you?
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 12:19 PM (UOM48)
It doesn't say squat about it, but quotes, "The U.S. government calls it the “one of the most lethal” weapons of its kind." Meh. Not impressed. I'll take what I heard in classified Army briefs, and the hands-on training I had.
Posted by: Beefy Meatball at September 27, 2011 04:11 PM (yn6XZ)
All it would take is to bring down one, maybe two US airliners.
And I've been privy to some of those secret US Army briefs, and I'll still put more trust in Aviation Week.
Posted by: Soona - Tearorrist at September 27, 2011 12:22 PM (OnmFq)
Posted by: oh brother at September 27, 2011 04:09 PM (k1rwm)
You really are clueless, aren't you?
Posted by: Jane D'oh at September 27, 2011 04:19 PM (UOM4
It doesn't know when it is having a bdsm reference thrown at it and thinks "act" (as in "Your act is getting boring") only refers to a band performance. Seriously, it makes dum dum look reasonably intelligent.
Posted by: buzzion at September 27, 2011 12:29 PM (GULKT)
Heh. I'll have to review Monty's DOOM threads to get back in the proper mood.
Posted by: Hollowpoint at September 27, 2011 12:31 PM (SY2Kh)
How many of those adults were born and raised in Mexico?
Posted by: Grey Fox at September 27, 2011 03:52 PM (rpcYO)
Illegal aliens do not account for Texas' high percentage of high school dropouts. But yes, of the adults with only a HS diploma, illegals are included, encouraged here by those promoting NAFTA (cheap labor and the big business tax advantaged destruction of TX small businesses). Obviously, also encouraged into the US illegally by tax funded "entitlements" including in-state tuition for US citizens residing in Texas, and by sanctuary cities. As Governor of Texas, what could I possibly have done to uphold the US Constitution in my state?
Sure, tell all the taxpayers they were for funding illegal immigrant education* since only four radical legislators were willing to vote against the tax funding for illegal immigrant in-state tuition status (as if US citizens).
*/That argument would explain how the media, Congress and the POTUS made Obamacare law with full public support. We all voted for it. We all want it./
Posted by: Rick Perry's Pinball at September 27, 2011 12:33 PM (lpWVn)
Posted by: Air Force Magazine at September 27, 2011 12:38 PM (lpWVn)
Anybody think there will be an increasing number of spontaneously exploding fuel tanks on aircraft off the coast at heights of 10,000 feet or less? Like, um, TWA 800?
FWIW, I have significant work experience with JP7 and JP8 fuel, including practice fire drills on downed helicopters. You have to try really hard to ignite those fuels. I'm an engineer, not a conspiracy theorist.
Posted by: Michael the Hobbit at September 27, 2011 12:39 PM (hzV1U)
Posted by: Rick Perry's Pinball at September 27, 2011 04:33 PM (lpWVn)
CA and TX are both big border states with similar racial demographics, except CA has a lot more Asians.
TX has a higher literacy rate, and the kids score better on NAEP tests. Tx has a high graduation rate. CA spends FAR more per student and gets worse results.
Posted by: stace, teahadi extremist bitch at September 27, 2011 12:56 PM (lYlx9)
Posted by: Jellytoast at September 27, 2011 01:12 PM (FPJxD)
Posted by: steevy at September 27, 2011 01:58 PM (fyOgS)
Thanks to the damned POS TSA, I won't be flying anyway.
Think ocean liners might come back?
Posted by: GaryS at September 27, 2011 02:00 PM (W7tJ+)
Thanks. I am aware that aerosolization increases the partial pressure of fuel in an enclosed space. My degrees are in chemistry and chemical engineering, though I only have 4 years of experience in the aerospace industry. My work was with JP7 and JP8, not with the Jet A fuel used by TWA 800, though they all have similar properties. I can't say with any degree of certainty that TWA 800 was brought down by a missile. I am aware of at least two other incidents where an aircraft's fuel tank did explode because the fuel/air mixture was in the explosive range and a spark ignited them. Jet A has a very narrow flammability limit range and requires a relatively powerful ignition source. I'm also aware that the TWA 800 pilot reported anomalies with the #4 engine a few minutes before it exploded, which could indicate a problem with the fuel level sensor that is blamed for igniting the center fuel tank.
Finally, it's worth noting that my aerospace engineering and pilot buddies are very skeptical of the official explanation of the downing of TWA 800. They all live in the Dallas - Fort Worth area, so perhaps it's a local belief. Color me as accepting the official explanation but a bit skeptical.
Posted by: Michael the Hobbit at September 27, 2011 02:31 PM (hzV1U)
Posted by: No Hunt looking for a silver lining at September 27, 2011 02:38 PM (PZkW+)
Posted by: Jean at September 27, 2011 03:15 PM (X6eYN)
From the Jerusalem Post via Rantburg:
"Egyptian security forces said Sunday that they have seized eight anti-aircraft missiles and four shoulder launchers in the Sinai Peninsula, AFP reported.
The weaponry entered Egypt either from Sudan or Libya, the officials said, adding that they were probably destined for the Gaza Strip, according to the report. The smugglers managed to flee before security forces arrived at the location near the Suez canal."
They're already trying.
What about the ones that got through?
Posted by: RayJ at September 27, 2011 03:21 PM (pI/IV)
Posted by: Michael the Hobbit at September 27, 2011 05:47 PM (Wv5xl)
Posted by: Michael the Hobbit at September 27, 2011 05:49 PM (Wv5xl)
Posted by: rdbrewer at September 27, 2011 06:06 PM (yhLR9)
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Posted by: © Sponge at September 27, 2011 10:23 AM (UK9cE)