Russian Warplanes Training Off Alaskan Coast

Russian Warplanes Training Off Alaskan Coast

www.newsvine.com

ANCHORAGE — Russian warplanes staged at least seven exercises outside U.S. airspace near Alaska this summer, and each time U.S. or Canadian fighter jets were dispatched to escort them, U.S. military officials said Monday.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Old event, new story.
What do you think Putin is trying to get with all of these intimidation tactics?
And why would he focus on the air-force?
Generally speaking, for a country which is beginning to recover from extreme economic losses, wouldn't it be more feasible, and economic to concentrate on a build-up of ground forces?

www.newsvine.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

I know that this may be a stupid question, but isn't "off the Alaskan coast" actually Russia? I think that the media is making a mountain out of a molehill in my opinion.

Grabted Putin is trying to exert an air of more power and global dominance, but until Russia does something stupid, all this just seems like business as usual to me.

He's making a point: that while Russia may be weaker than the Cold War USSR in conventional military terms, they still have nukes and the means to deliver them here.

It's a response to NATO's eastward expansion and our continued attempts to base ABM's in Eastern Europe.

It's us taking provocative steps - the Russians are only responding in kind.

It's us taking provocative steps - the Russians are only responding in kind.

The US have a tendency to take a country defending itself as provocation. Remember when Iran "threatened" the US by having missile silos that could reach their ships in the gulf? Those EVIL iranians...

reply to post by Don Wahn


I'm going to have to go with business as usual for this one. These exercises were more common during the cold war, of coarse. But the article referenced even says it is nothing to be alarmed about.

Have to agree with most of above comments.

My 12yr old and I were talking about this this morning, he said "those" Russians are gonna start the cold war again!

I assured him this was actually just Russia's way of reminding the U.S. that while they might have taken a knee for few years, they are by no means totally off the playing field...

In the end I had to explain MAD and why that would be what kept everything in check...do I like it, no...but it's like I explained to my son, when both fighters are capable of throwing a knock out punch, both sides think more carefully about actually doing it.

my2cents...

I thought that it was mighty bold for the head of NORAD to say that Russia was not a threat. The US and Russia did just do a small navy exercise together and I'm still trying to figure that one out, I mean Putin has been talking trash for along time and making threats so why help them at all. I think Bush still think he is his best buddy or something. I think Bush needs to get a clue.
I wish the US and Russia had become allies years ago but that didn't happen and the Russians are mad that things didn't go better for them.

Send a squad of B-2 bombers and lets see how effective the Russian air defenses respond as the bombers crossed the North Pole to Moscow.

reply to post by deltaboy


I think most of the world's larger powers tend to be a little more edgy these days. From the Chinese, to the Russians, etc. It's just the political climate of the world right now. I really don't blame anyone for being prepared for anything that may or may not happen. The Russians, especially Putin, are very distrustful of us Americans these days.... and due to many recent happenings I can understand why. As far as anyone being nuked by russian warheads, if it happens, it will more than likely be due to a computer malfunction in one of the many near derelict and decrepid missile silos they have throughout the country.

VERY misleading at the least. The Alaskan coast is basically the Russian coast so whats the worry? So what? Russia has broken some planes out and is flying them again...i dont think its that big of a deal and the US's silence on the issue confirms it.

Hey if it makes them feel good and it doest pose a threat then let them have fun. Its okay. Really.

Im in Alaska, and was aware of this shortly after it happened - it was a big deal. It caused our base to be at Bravo for a lengthy amount of time and kept my husband at work longer. LOL!! But in the nearly 4 years I have been here, we have never gone to Bravo.

They are testing our reaction time. They are pulling this stuff in other countries too.