France not invited for air force exercise in US (they can leave the white flags at home)

The Times of India ^ | May 22 2003 | PTI

[knighthawk]

WASHINGTON: Still upset with France for its opposition to the Iraq war, the Pentagon has said that Paris been "disinvited" from participation in a long-scheduled Air Force exercise to be held next year in Nevada.

The Pentagon told the French military attache here that his country has been "disinvited" from taking part in the exercise called Red Flag, media reports said.

In the same spirit, France has already been informed that the US will limit its participation in next month's Paris Air Show, they said.

No American generals would attend and there would be no demonstrations by US aircraft. American planes will be sent for the show but they would stay on the ground during the exhibition.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[winner3000]

(...exercise called Red Flag...)

Had the exercise been called White Flag, the French would have been invited as the main event.

[dixiechick2000]

This makes me feel all warm and fuzzy about this administration. I hate being a doormat... ;o)

[davidosborne]

BTTT!!! - Outstanding !!!! Keep the hammer down ! Thanks for posting.....

[E Rocc]

American planes will be sent for the show but they would stay on the ground during the exhibition.

Kind of like the French do when it's not an exhibition.

-Eric

[xJones]

The Pentagon told the French military attache here that his country has been "disinvited" from taking part in the exercise called Red Flag, media reports said.

Mon Dieu, if it had been called White Flag, the French military would have been the guests of honor.

[Aut Pax Aut Bellum]

Actually, aircraft is about the only military weapon that France makes that doesn't suck...

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[crazycat]

The reason the French make very fast aircraft, is because you can't get an aircraft to fly backwards.......

[4mycountry]

Aircraft is about the only ANYTHING that France makes that doesn't suck.

[3D-JOY]

Outstanding!!!

Let there be lots more penalties for the actions of the French!

I hope these orders came from the very TOP. Maybe Cheney has some say too??

[GOPJ]

bump

[RightOnline]

Red Flag's a hoot. Used to participate in these (think "aerial war games", or exercises). Too good for our French friends. :)

[river rat]

Why would a country, that will not fight on the "fields of honor" - need a military?

French "warriors" are their diplomats and swarmy industrialists that like to do "business" with the dictators and Islamist haters of Western Civilization.....

Semper Fi

[VOA]

...the Pentagon has said that Paris been "disinvited" from participation in a
long-scheduled Air Force exercise to be held next year in Nevada

Here is an under-reported factoid:
The theme for the current Paris Air Show is: the shared history of American and French
aviation.

At least that's what was reported in The Los Angeles Times article yesterday about
the greatly-diminished American presence at the show. I don't think the article
mentioned this, but I suspect that for such a big shindig, that theme was
probably selected long in advance of the show.

As the theme wasn't changed, it show the French are still trying to
get America "back in bed" with them.

[Jonah Hex]

The problem was, like dodgeball, both the Red side and the Blue side continued to argue about who had to pick the French.

[3D-JOY]

I wish it were so!

I looked around my home and was amazed at the things "French" that I owned.

Not only food, but the very best iron and toaster I have ever owned are "Rowenta".

[Growler]

Good one!

Actually, according to the Washington Post, the Pentagon said slots for foreigners at Red Flag "are going to be reserved for those with whom we will likely be participating in operations in the future." Ouch!

[geedee]

Actually, aircraft is about the only military weapon that France makes that doesn't suck...

LOL. And we would know this how? Since they've never flown in combat . . . and they probably never will unless it's against a Banana Republic in Africa where the anti-aircraft weapon of choice is a slingshot.