All two of them... Yea, that'll scare em... I seem to remember that if we were doing some saber rattling you would send a couple of squadons not just two frickin airplanes... Along with the 2 B-2's we sent the other day I'm sure the N. Koreans are shaking in their boots... In today's politically correct environment we wouldn't want to put something out there that was too much of a provication would we. Something Teddy said about speaking softly and carrying a big stick...
I think this is more for the South Koreans than the North. There are B-52s flying now and I would bet money there is a SSGN submereged off the coast of the North.
SF- With JDAMs, those F-22s can do more damage than the 2 squadrons of fighters would have with dumb bombs. Plus with virtually zero risk at night.
Not arguing the capability, they can do a lot more, but come on, it's just two airplanes guy's, if the idea is to show some force that's not the way to do it. Land 100 F-15 there for a day or so and make some noise..
Or F16s...and half the amount you state as I can only count 50: File:F-16 Kunsan AB Elephant Walk.jpg - Wikimedia Commons 100 of them would be a huge waste of fuel imo just to try and intimidate them.
This north korean escalation is quite fascinating. I don't see the obvious way out of this. I'll gladly see that crazy regime fall but I am worried about what may happen before that occurs. In any case I don't think the usual power rhetoric applies. I doubt they would stop even if the US sends the death star in low orbit (although that would be cool...) Hopefully the Chinese will stop him before lives (and a lot of money) are sent for nothing. Everybody will be a loser there.
I think this is about saving face for the North at this point. It's good we seem to be taking them seriously.
This time they will not get away with sinking a boat, shooting soldiers in the DMZ, or shelling an island. Everybody is sick of them, even the Chinese, maybe especially the Chinese. That is just what the Chinese did not want, a US build-up in what they consider their pond.
I feel that we are witnessing a nation collectively being run into the ground by a bunch of psycho's who have no ability to function in a normal relationship with anybody. For a leader to starve his country to death is unforgivable. I feel that this is eventually going to cause an internal collapse
The problem is that the North Korean people have been isolated for so long, they have effectively been brainwashed into believing everything that their egotistical leaders have been telling them. If they really knew how bad off they were, they would probably revolt immediately. And their "million man army", whose sole purpose in being is to conquer South Korea (if we weren't around to keep that from happening), is the closest thing on this planet to the Clone army in the "Star Wars" saga.
I guess that I am not as current as you are, Taz. I just go on what I perceive. I think that you are correct in the assessment of the North Korean people their having been so isolated for so long. Well, I think you have the clue to the plot and I am just going to watch.
reading some more recent "escape" stories, paints a picture of overall dislike for their government, being motivated by fear not allegiance, among the population ....with some international pressure, and enough internal change, perhaps we will yet see non-war change in N korea, like occurred in Berlin! let's hope!
those in the know think the chinese are really behind this escalation. there is a quiet "conflict" going on between vietnam, phillipines, japan and china over south china sea oil. thats where the real conflict will be. classic fight over oil.
Edward- No, I think that is 180 degrees out. The Chinese have enjoyed their little pit bull on a leash in the past, but not now. Who are those in the know? Nobody in the defense community.
taz, total misreading of the situation by the people you are talking to. chinese have total control over n. korea the n. koreans only want food from this manufactured crisis. whatelse would they have to gain? keep your eye on the chinese, they are on the move.
Are you implying that they will march into North Korea and take over? Assuredly, they realize that South Korea is no threat to them if they just leave them alone. Meanwhile, those F-22s will apparently be grounded (by sequestration) when they get home from Korea.....
The minute Dennis left NK, Little Un effectively declared war on us... What worries me, is that Dennis Rodman says he's going to visit the new Pope next. Don't think the Vatican has nukes... We going to end up with a plague of locusts?
