Iran starts airforce manoeuvres in Gulf

[nadinbrzezinski]

Iran starts airforce manoeuvres in Gulf
Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:42am EDT Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page <-> Text <+>
TEHRAN, June 22 (Reuters) - Iran began three days of airforce exercises on Monday in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman to raise operational and support capability, Iranian media said.

"Long-distance flights of around 3,600 km (2,237 miles) along with aerial refuelling from tanker to fighter jet and from fighter jet to fighter jet will be part of this exercise," state broadcaster IRIB's website reported.

"Low altitude flights over the waters of the ... Gulf and the Sea of Oman by Iranian fighter jets over distances of 700 km will also be tested.," it said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSHOS233576

And this is NO COINCIDENCE.

Ain't life fun?

[Kurska]

1. These sorts of events are planned months in advance.

I really doubt that this is anything out of what they would have been doing if everything went just fine.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Usually when you have a full blown revolt in the streets

exercises like this are usually cancelled

Also notice the overflight patterns.

[Kurska]

4. Not if you're trying to present a face of military normalacy to the world.

Iran doesn't have a choice but to go ahead with these wargames. I'm no friend of the Iranian regime, but if they looked like for even a moment that the uprising has harmed their ability to defend it's skies, the IAF may have viewed this as their once chance to get a clean shot on the Iranian reactors.

Iran isn't trying to rattle a saber, at this point it is trying desperately to keep up a charade of being a worth Air force.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. There is another possibly you are overlooking

we are having some hand in keeping the tweeter traffic going. Some of it is bouncing of our ships in the bathtub.

Fill the sky with targets.

And at this point the IAF is just watching...

[Kurska]

6. I didn't quite get what you are suggesting.

A Iranian attack on our shipping would unleash hell from the sky on Iran not seen since Vietnam. The Iranian Air force simply can't go toe to toe with the IAF or the American Air force, they would be crushed just by virtue of their out of date technology.

Not sure if thats what you are suggesting.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. fill the air with targets hardly implies an attack

but the flight pattern announced is right over the fleet.

You do not have to attack anybody to make them take certain actions.

Just turn on your combat radars and all sensors and ping the living daylights.

[anigbrowl]

3. If there's a signal, I take it to be 'don't get involved'

Which might presage a violent crackdown, but might equally mean political changes on the way, but that they won't affect military readiness. Outlook: neutral.