Posted on 09/10/2008 1:42:03 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Russian strategic bombers in Venezuela for 'training': Chavez
CARACAS (AFP) — Two Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers were in Venezuela on Wednesday for "training flights," Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said, adding he would be piloting one of the aircraft.
"I hope that stings, 'pitiyanquis'," he said, using a derogatory term for Venezuelan opponents who have perceived US sympathies.
"What's more, I'm going to take the controls of one of these monsters," boasted the president, a former paratrooper and left-wing politician who has avowed antagonism towards the United States.
"It's been a while since these planes have been around these parts, and Russia decided a couple of years ago to revive its strategic aviation program," Chavez said during the inauguration of a medical center.
The moves came amid soaring tensions between Russia and the United States, including over the presence of US naval vessels sent close to Russian shores to deliver aid to Georgia.
Chavez also said plans for joint Russian-Venezuelan naval exercises in the region in November were currently being worked out, and said his closeness to the Kremlin would result in a cooperation that would "strengthen the country."
His announcement confirmed an Interfax report in Russia citing the Russian defense ministry saying the bombers would be in Venezuela for training flights over "neutral waters."
Russia said Monday it was dispatching a nuclear cruiser and other warships and planes to the Caribbean for the joint exercises with Venezuela -- the first such maneuvers in the US vicinity since the Cold War.
A spokesman for the Russian navy said Monday that the November maneuvers would take place under an agreement sealed when the leaders of the two countries met in Moscow in July.
(Excerpt) Read more at afp.google.com ...
The US needs to punch a few holes in Hugo’s airspace.
Gosh I hope there’s not a training accident.
Ok, I’ll say it... B1-ski.
I hope they both crash into each other.
Ideally, they would accidentally blow up their own sub again like they did with the Kursk.
Sean Penn etal are smiling
They are tweaking the nose of Bush, thats all.
Hugo is a man of many talents, who knew he was a bomber pilot?
You could not pay me enough to board a Russian plane.
Should we tell Chubby now that the Russians despise him, call him names behind his back and laugh at how stupid he is?
Wow, they found spare parts and pilots who aren’t too drunk to fly !
I think they filled the planes with helium.
Ok, now I know its not just me (i.e. sukhoi-30mki) but there sure is a whole lot of military equipment out there that looks suspiciously (ok, OBVIOUSLY) like US equipment.
Sheesh, even their subs look like ours (j/k) :)
LOL! Who is going to be first to post a picture of an F-22 Raptor and wanting the Blackjacks shot down?
That is what happens when you have the blueprints.
Drill drill drill and defund these scumbags.
Lets attack them and see how well trained they are.
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