Posted on 04/08/2015 11:41:59 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
The United States has started daily aerial refuelling for warplanes in the Saudi-led coalition carrying out air strikes in Yemen, the Pentagon has said.
The first refuelling flight took place on Tuesday night with a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker providing fuel for a F-15 fighter jet operated by Saudi Arabia and an F-16 flown by the United Arab Emirates, spokesman Colonel Steven Warren told reporters yesterday.
"We will have a tanker sortie every day," Warren said, adding that all flights will be outside of Yemeni air space.
Pentagon had announced plans for aerial refuelling earlier and officials say American forces stand ready to fly early warning radar aircraft if necessary.
The move signalled an expanding role for the US military as Washington said on Tuesday it was stepping up intelligence sharing with the coalition and expediting the delivery of precision-guided bombs to the Saudis and their Gulf allies.
(Excerpt) Read more at newindianexpress.com ...
now let’s see Obama refuel those Saudi planes on their way to bombing the Iranian nuclear bomb and iCSM factories (that Obama’s been protecting with our great USAF, and providing billions of dineros for Iran too...)
Why do Saudi Jets need to refuel in air when the whole of Yeman’s northern border id directly adjacent to Saudi Arabia?
Is this a story, somewhat true but largely bluster, put out to help Obama appear relevant?
They must be going farther then Yemen.
So, if this conflict enlarges into a direct war with Iran, we—as a cobelligerent—will be at war with Iran, the very country we have been cosying up to in negotiations. Do I have that right?
It's not a crime.
It is to be desired.
The F-16’s don’t take off with a full fuel load so that they can carry more ordinance. Standard procedure to get to altitude and then refuel.
Oldplayer
Also I would suspect that non-US made planes would need to fly all the way home to their bases in other ME countries because moving their logistics and repair facilities to SA is expensive.
I hope the Saudis supply their own fuel but knowing our administration, the American taxpayers are probably footing the bill.
Because Saudi F-15, F-15E bases are nearly 600 miles away from Yemen and that means a 1,000-1,2000 mile round trip. You tank just after take-off (or just before entering bad-guy territory) and then press onto the target and post-mission you tank to get more gas to get home—especially if you went to AB during the mission. You don't fly L/D-max when you are over bad-guy territory.
Anyway, this reporting is nonsense as we are always tanking with the UAE and Saudi. Daily missions. Nothing unusual there.
Being that we have our tankers in the area, how about making them available to the Isrealis? As I understand it, lack of refueling capability is the main inhibitor to Israelis launching an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Yemen’s distance from Iran makes it a bad place for Iran to make a stand, because the Iranians have strong ground forces and weak navy and air force. I would look for them to back off in Yemen and attempt to wreak havoc elsewhere through proxies.
Arab Coalition already owns the airspace over Yemen, should defeat Houthis and backers in due time. Iran will effectively be out of Yemen. The problem is Yemen, even if Hadi is restored to power, is an absolute mess. And will continue to be.
“loitering. It’s not a crime. It is to be desired. “
Thus the current US logic in wanting to end the A-10 program.
The problem is Yemen, even if Hadi is restored to power, is an absolute mess. And will continue to be.
But, but, but . . . I was told this was an example of the administration’s successful foreign policy. Smartest man in the room and all that, you know?
Oldplayer
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