US B-52 bombers challenge disputed China air zone

[MigBuster 2,884]

The US has flown two B-52 bombers over disputed islands in the East China Sea in defiance of new Chinese air defence rules, officials say.

China set up its "air defence identification zone" on Saturday insisting that aircraft obey its rules or face "emergency defensive measures".

A Pentagon spokesman said the planes had followed "normal procedures".

The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are a source of rising tension between the two nations.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25110011

[+76.IAP-Blackbird 3,557]

Those spontanious flight paths are always normal procedures!

[+SidDogg 130]

...hmmm.

 

Looks like Operation Flashpoint

 

 

 

 

 

SidDogg

[Nesher 628]

I assume that it won't escalate to anything, at least I hope so.. thanks for the news!

[hrc 156]

Area disputed by two countries being flown over by bombers of a third country that is thousand of miles away  is not exactly suiting or tension lowering action...  

[macelena 1,070]

Just had a B-52 morning, grounded at home, watching Strangelove. I was just thinking of making a remake with the Chinese. The power of my mind scares me, sometimes

 

EDIT At hrc: It doesn´t matter, it is just not abiding what would become an international law precedent. Beyond that, if the Japanese are cool with the B-52s showing their teeth for them, there is no trouble.

Edited November 26, 2013 by macelena

[JediMaster 451]

This is Libya's "Line of Death" for the 21st century. Hopefully China is more rational than Quacky Qaddafi.

Edited November 27, 2013 by JediMaster

[Viggen 644]

Oh wah. It's not like China has never tested the waters with their own bombers.

[+Gepard 11,357]

The islands are closer to Taiwan than to China or Japan. The  chinese air defence zone is ridiculous oversized. It covers the whole area north of Taiwan till South Korea and Japan.

[macelena 1,070]

http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/12/north-korea-expands-air-defense-zone-to-include-eastern-u-s/

[MigBuster 2,884]

“If the Navy, for example, flies one of its aircraft out of Naval Air Station Oceana near Virginia Beach, all North Korea has to do is scramble fighter jets from its airfield near Wonsan, conduct multiple air-to-air refuelings using its advanced network of Pacific and Canadian airbases, then intercept it a mere eighteen hours later.”