Posted on 01/29/2016 8:39:42 AM PST by BenLurkin
Iran claimed Friday it flew a surveillance drone over a U.S. aircraft carrier and took "precise" photographs as part of an ongoing naval drill, as Iranian TV broadcasted video purportedly showing the incident.
The U.S. Navy confirmed to Fox News that an unarmed Iranian drone flew "directly over" the USS Harry Truman earlier this month on Jan. 12, but did not say whether it was the same incident.
That happened on the same day Iran captured 10 U.S. Navy sailors accused of "trespassing." It also was less than a week before the U.S. and European nations lifted sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, but months after their initial deal was signed.
A video circulating on social media linked to Iranian news agencies - purportedly taken from a drone - shows a bird’s eye view of an aircraft carrier moving in water, with multiple planes parked on its deck.
...
"I am not in a position to confirm the Iranian video or if the event described in Iranian media reports is the one from Jan. 12," said Commander Kevin Stephens, a spokesman for the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet based in Bahrain. "As previously noted, we are confident in our ability to respond appropriately as the situation dictates and will defend ourselves should that prove necessary."
Stephens said an unarmed Iranian drone flew near the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and "directly over" the USS Harry S. Truman on Jan. 12 as the vessels were in international waters in the Persian Gulf.
He said the drone "posed no danger to the ship" as the unmanned aircraft was unarmed and the carrier wasn't conducting flight operations at the time.
"It was, however, abnormal and unprofessional," Stephens said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Our sailors were likely ordered not to respond to it or harm it.
Under Clinton, Iranian gunboats used to make mock runs at the ships, and Iranian jets would make mock runs at them. No one was allowed to do anything unless they actually opened fire. So, this isn’t surprising.
Our new allies.
Yeah. No harm to the aircraft carrier.
To an airplane flying over the carrier, or trying to land, or flying near the carrier, or while trying to take off?
But, if I can fly a drone over the carrier with no problems ONCE, then I WILL fly a drone over a carrier THE NEXT TIME.
AND THE NEXT TIME.
Taking out a radar antenna, or a radio mast, or a satellite antenna, or a 30 million dollar aircraft with a 10 second “crash” is not a bad trade. With the next drone, you mount a 50 lb explosive payload.
“He said the drone “posed no danger to the ship” as the unmanned aircraft was unarmed and the carrier wasn’t conducting flight operations at the time.”
So I guess they wouldn’t have an issue if some citizens of this country sent a drone over it too. Sounds like fun. /s
It was, however, abnormal and unprofessional that it wasn’t shot down.
When does Iran take possession of the US Navy? Will there be a televised ceremony?
Iran cares if it was abnormal and unprofessional?
That actually sounds more like a description of our feckless President.
What on earth is happening to our military? And no, I don't blame them, but I sure as hell blame those chuckle-heads at the top!
Obama is making sure that we have a military that isn't a threat to him or his allies.
Political correctness is what is happening.
They have forgotten that war is all about offending the enemy so badly that they grab their dolls, run home, and hide from you.
We are no longer allowed to offend the enemy.
Obama probably invited this because if he didn’t they would say our refusal to take top secret photos would be used as a recruiting tool.
This article really chaps my ass. This was the very excuse the government used to make all the hobbyist RC model airplane and drone enthusiast “register” our toys with the FAA.
What about a swarm of drones each loaded with a pound of Semtex targeted at planes on the flight deck?
As soon as ValJar has a supply of halal (non-alcoholic) champagne bottles for the re-christening (sorry, how culturally insensitive of me) - "re-mohammeding" ceremonies.
If it flew in front of an aircraft taking off or landing on the flight deck, it would have the same effect as a kamikazi strike of WWII. That carrier would be non operational for an extended period.
If it flew in front of an aircraft taking off or landing on the flight deck, it would have the same effect as a kamikazi strike of WWII. That carrier would be non operational for an extended period.
Actually they have been asking for F-22s - which have been in action nearby and greatly impressed the mad mullahs - to replace the Tomcats. They’ve even offered to buy the stored F-22 tooling and assembly videos, since the American kefirs have no business with such toys in the first place.
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