Reports saying it was shot down by Syrian forces. If this is the case, then this is quite the escalation. No news about the pilots and no confirmation about what happened to the plane. BUt it went down in Syrian waters.

 

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/missing-warplane-crashed-in-syrian-territorial-waters-report.aspx?pageID=238&nID=23802&NewsCatID=341

There have been reports that Saudi Arabia is funnelling arms supplies to Syrian rebels via Turkey. The article linked to above suggests a possible reconnaissance flight, which is plausible.

Technically that is a NATO aircraft as Turkey is a NATO member. It would make sense for Turkey to fly reconnaissance flights into Syria.

Thing is, that was supposedly an F-4 which was shot down, and as far as I'm aware they are only used as either Wild Weasels or Recon aeroplanes these days. And if it was over the border, that means it was either after SAMs, or taking pictures/relaying data, which regardless of how nasty Syria is being at the moment, has not been sanctioned by the UN, or at least not yet anyway.

 

Of course it is easily possible to be not over the border and be engaged and then crash over the line, especially if the wind is favourable enough to do that and you happen to be flying toward the border at high speed and high altitude. I guess we might (or possibly not) find out more in time.

 

Al

Looks like NATO is going to meet over this one now. Seems to me that they should have given a warning to the aircraft. Usually you scramble fighters to intercept an aircraft so just shooting it down without warning maybe considered hostel.

 

Reports are saying the wreck is located in international waters and not Syrian waters and they shot it down after it had left Syrian airspace....Kind of like shooting a man in the back and calling it self defence.

.Kind of like shooting a man in the back and calling it self defence.

 

Just need to turn the body over to put one in the chest.

 

Probably not going to see any help from the US since we are so close to the elections. Also we don't have much interest in these areas like Egypt, and Bahrain

Probably not going to see any help from the US since we are so close to the elections. Also we don't have much interest in these areas like Egypt, and Bahrain

 

Turkey is the regional superpower for that area and the Turkish Airforce is one of NATO largest combat fleets (3rd largest millitary behind the USA and the UK). They have very good military capabilities so most likely they just want advice on what they can do. Turkey has a modern fleet of F-16's that they build themselves and they would be more then ready to take on Syria's aging Migs.

 

Syria is backed by Russia so that is the only area of concern really. I think a good response is to impose an embargo on further delivery of arms from Russia. They should sink that shipment of Helicopters from Russia if they try to deliver.

Turkey is the regional superpower for that area and the Turkish Airforce is one of NATO largest combat fleets (3rd largest millitary behind the USA and the UK). They have very good military capabilities so most likely they just want advice on what they can do. Turkey has a modern fleet of F-16's that they build themselves and they would be more then ready to take on Syria's aging Migs.

 

Syria is backed by Russia so that is the only area of concern really. I think a good response is to impose an embargo on further delivery of arms from Russia. They should sink that shipment of Helicopters from Russia if they try to deliver.

I guess cheerleading for conflict in the Med probably feels like a video game if you live in New Zealand.. :Thinking:

I guess cheerleading for conflict in the Med probably feels like a video game if you live in New Zealand.. :Thinking:

 

My preference is for peace however what worries me is how this could escalate. I have lots of Turkish friends and they have a very beautiful country.

 

Just pointing out the facts as I see it and will continue to follow this one. I am sure Turkey will want to respond in some way. An embargo is not a conflict but an action. The USA has had an Embargo on Cuba for decades that has never fired a weapon.

 

There already is an embargo on Syria by the EU and the USA so blocking a shipment of Russian Helicopters isn't cheerleading when Syria will have no problem using them on their own people.

Turkey is the regional superpower for that area and the Turkish Airforce is one of NATO largest combat fleets (3rd largest millitary behind the USA and the UK). They have very good military capabilities so most likely they just want advice on what they can do. Turkey has a modern fleet of F-16's that they build themselves and they would be more then ready to take on Syria's aging Migs.

 

Syria is backed by Russia so that is the only area of concern really. I think a good response is to impose an embargo on further delivery of arms from Russia. They should sink that shipment of Helicopters from Russia if they try to deliver.

 

Good post Matt.

 

Shame about the loser who makes fun of a well thought response. We are here to be tested......

 

Turkey shouldn't let the Syrians and Russians intimidate them. If that means harsh words like threatening to sink the ship then so be it. Otherwise back it up with a few missiles aimed at that ship. That should stop Syria from thinking it can be a bully.

Shame about the loser who makes fun of a well thought response. We are here to be tested......

Daniel, using words like "loser" are going to get you attention you do not want (from Stephen).. I suggest you apologize for that and move on.

It will be interesting what will happen after the elections here. The sad thing is when all these people are dying in Syria all we see on the news is how bad the economy still is and what isn't being done to fixit.

It will be interesting what will happen after the elections here. The sad thing is when all these people are dying in Syria all we see on the news is how bad the economy still is and what isn't being done to fixit.

 

Well to be fair the US economy will certainly affect people in the US a lot more than what happens in Syria, and they're also more likely to be able to do something about it. Sure the US / UN / whoever could try a military intervention again, but whether that will result in a better life for the people of Syria is highly questionable.

 

 

Good post Matt.

 

Shame about the loser who makes fun of a well thought response. We are here to be tested......

 

Turkey shouldn't let the Syrians and Russians intimidate them. If that means harsh words like threatening to sink the ship then so be it. Otherwise back it up with a few missiles aimed at that ship. That should stop Syria from thinking it can be a bully.

 

Of course sending a military aircraft over someone's territory without prior permission is usually not thought very highly of either.

Besides there are plenty of good reasons for Turkey not to want to get involved in an armed conflict with Syria (let alone Russia).

Well to be fair the US economy will certainly affect people in the US a lot more than what happens in Syria, and they're also more likely to be able to do something about it. Sure the US / UN / whoever could try a military intervention again, but whether that will result in a better life for the people of Syria is highly questionable.

 

 

True the Arab spring hasn't looked good for many of the countries that had it sweep through. It is amazing though with how the citizens of the US pride themselves on human rights but when it is not convenient they turn a blind eye to it. We got hourly coverage of Egypt and Algeria but Syria has been reduced to a quick mention somewhere in the middle of a newscast.

I would rather see the USA focus on their economy for now rather then leading a mission into Syria. I think the USA could take part in a smaller way to save money for back home. These air force type missions like recent Libya or Kosovo back in the late 90's are very expensive.

 

If there is going to be a NATO action I think Turkey should lead that with the support of its NATO allies seeing as Turkey is a capable nation and Syria's neighbour.