US Intelligence: Al Qaeda Planned Israel Attack With Hijacked Saudi F-15's

World Tribune and Geostrategy Direct.com ^ | Week of September 16, 2003 | Bill Gertz

[meg70]

Al Qaeda planned to hijack a Saudi F-15E fighter jet and crash it into a major office tower in Israel, the Israeli chief of staff said yesterday.

Israel officals said US Intelligence agencies relayed this information based on their interrogation of Al Qaeda suspects during the past 18 months.

They said Al Qaeda was trying to recruit a Saudi Air Force pilot to fly his F-15 from Tabuk air base and carry out a suicide attack in Israel about 200 kilometers away.

The Al Qaeda plot has been cited by Israel in its arguements to the United States for the immediate removal of Saudia Arabia's F-15E fleet from the King Faisal Air Base in Tabuk. About 50 F-15E's were flown to Tabuk in March 2003 and Riyad has refused to return them to their bases in Eastern adn Central Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya'alon became the first Isralei public figure to cite the F-15E's at Tabuk.

[Physicist]

A few years ago, the IAF "baptised" a new Saudi airfield by flying over at low altitude (below the radar) and dropping live pigs onto the runway.

Sounds too funny to be true. Do you have a source?

[steveegg]

Methinks you two are ignoring the likelyhood that a significant, though not-quite-in-power, faction of the massive House of Saud is also in on this little venture.

[eddiespaghetti]

A few years ago, the IAF "baptised" a new Saudi airfield by flying over at low altitude (below the radar) and dropping live pigs onto the runway.


WHERE CAN ONE LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT?

es

[kinghorse]

"Once again, Al Qaeda shows that its ultimate goal is not to wage war, but to start it.
They are the trolls of geopolitics."


Yep and they can sure start it with a few strategically placed dirty bombs. How could we stand by and watch our world collapse and NOT assign responsibility to a state?

Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Libya, Yemen, ad nauseum need to understand they will be fitted for cobalt jackets if even one of our urbans centers is contaminated by a dirty bomb. Kill 100 Americans this way and they should see the death of 1 million. I would use the 100 to 1,000,000 ratio.

I think Al Qaeda plans to try and shut us down this way. Their homelands need to know what's coming. EOM

[SJackson]

You're kidding, right? The IAF would make very short work of the RSAF, a fact with which both parties are all too aware.

I'm not qualified to make that judgement, but I can tell you there are those within Israel's military community who consider the combined Saudi/Egyptian air forces the IAFs equal in hardware, personel I can't say, but they're a force to be reckoned with. Because they were destroyed on the ground once, you can't rely on it happening again.

[Former Proud Canadian]

This is why Mr Bush is president (thank God) and not one of us. Some of us (me included) would have been inclined to reduce certain islamic "holy" sites to glass by now. Mr. Bush and his administration see a broader problem.

The Saudi regime is in big trouble. They are hanging by a thread. Better to prop the present gangsters up and play for time than to topple them now and deal with another Iraq immediately. The US armed forces can EASILY invade Saudi Arabia, Syria AND Iran, simultaneously. Then what??

Mr. Bush, in his wisdom, has decided to take one bite at a time. Everything else will fall into place. Very smart man.

[Poohbah]

The EAF's quality has improved a BUNCH because they're hanging with the USAF/USN/USMC folks. The RSAF has always been pretty good because they have a long-standing relationship with their American counterparts.

The IAF's edge is still there, but it's more a matter of degree than of light-years as it used to be.

[Samwise]

A few years ago, the IAF "baptised" a new Saudi airfield by flying over at low altitude (below the radar) and dropping live pigs onto the runway.

You made that up, right? As God is my witness, I thought pigs could fly!

[Samwise]

You two have given me much to think about. It helps explain the Bush stance toward Saudi Arabia.

[blackbag]

Letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from Secretary of Defense Brown, 15 May 1978.

The first two weeks of May witnessed the culmination of the efforts by the Carter administration to win Congressional approval for the package deal involving the sale of advanced aircraft to Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

In the following letter, Secretary Brown sought to alleviate fears of some Senators that the F-15 that would be sold to Saudi Arabia would be used against Israel. He explained the capabilities of this aircraft and also specified the assurances received from the government of Saudi Arabia. The next day, the Senate approved the proposed package deal.

Dear Mr. Chairman,
During recent conversations with you and other members of your committee, a number of questions have been raised regarding the characteristics of the F-15 aircraft we propose to sell to Saudi Arabia and reassurances as to the purpose for which Saudi Arabia will use the aircraft. I would like to respond to these questions and attempt to resolve any uncertainties that members may have felt regarding the proposed sale.


In sum, it is clear that the F-15 will help Saudi Arabia deter and defend against those nations that are hostile to its role as a leading moderate Arab state.

II. Assurances
The Government of Saudi Arabia has assured us that it has no aggressive intentions against any state, that it will use the F-15 aircraft only in furtherance of its legitimate self-defense, and that it will not employ the aircraft offensively. The Saudi Arabian Government has similarly assured us that it will not transfer the F-15 aircraft to any third country or permit the nationals of such country to train on the F-15 aircraft, serve as pilots, or otherwise to have access to the aircraft without the authorization of the United States.

We have specifically discussed these restrictions on use and prohibitions on transfer with the Government of Saudi Arabia. They have assured us that they intend scrupulously to comply with these prohibitions and restrictions. The record of Saudi Arabia in this respect is excellent.

However, should the assurances be violated, the United States can take appropriate action, including suspension of services and of delivery of spare parts and other military equipment. Without such services the usability of the F-15 would degrade rapidly.

It is also important to note that the sales agreement reserves to the United States the right to suspend or cancel deliveries at any time when the national interest of the United States so requires. Further, under section 21 (C) of the arms export control act, no U.S. person employed under foreign military sales contracts in Saudi Arabia or any other country would be permitted to perform services in support of combat operations.

Questions have been raised concerning the possible basing of the F-15 aircraft at Tabuk air base. I would like to repeat to you the assurance given to me and other United States officials by the Saudi Arabian Government that Saudi Arabia will base the F-15 aircraft, not at Tabuk, but at Dhahran, Taif and possibly at Riyadh or Khamis Mushait. Basing the F-15 at the vulnerable Tabuk base could place in needless jeopardy these vital aircraft which will form the heart of the Saudi Arabian air defense system. In addition, Tabuk is not equipped to serve as an operating base for the F-15's, and could not be so equipped without extensive base for the F-15's, and could not be so equipped without extensive U.S. assistance which would not be provided.

These practical considerations, of which Saudi Arabia is well aware, strengthen the assurances that the F-15's will not be based at Tabuk.

[steveegg]

What's one's word to a class enemy when one is an Islamikazi?

[eastcoast81]

Studio 54 rip.. Niiiice one

[FreedomCalls]

Ideas?

The late Ed Teller had some pretty good ideas that might help you.

[Alouette]

I read this in a book several years ago called "The Search for Mt. Sinai" but can't remember the name of the author.

There are two books on this subject one is written by Howard Blum and the other by Bob Cornuke.

[Ready4Freddy]

Not to the Saudi AF. Egypt & Syria, yes, Saudi, no.

[Prodigal Son]

Friggin troglodytes.

Hey, don't give cave dwellers a bad name.

[AMNZ]

It's a matter of what the definition "is" of "hi-jack". Maybe Jack loaned his cousin the F-15 and the cousin, according to muslim custom, says "Hi-Jack!" when taking off. Ya think, maybe?

[holdmuhbeer]

I've actually been on exercises with RSAF aircrews; they are very, very good.

Aren't these guys trained in the U.S.?

[Poohbah]

Yes, they are. Why do you think they're so good?

[holdmuhbeer]

Yes, they are. Why do you think they're so good?

Thats exactly what i thought.