Podcast with Flight Global's Arie Egozi.
Iran learns from Syria – but maybe the wrong lesson
By IAG | September 19th, 2007 | Posted in iran, israel, syria | No CommentsToday Iran's deputy air force commander said the air force had drawn up plans to bomb Israel in the event Iran was attacked by the Israelis. "We have drawn up a plan to strike back at Israel with our bombers if this regime (Israel) makes a silly mistake," deputy air force chief, Gen. Mohammad Alavi was quoted as telling Fars in an interview.
After the Israelis overflew Syrian air space and apparently attacked a target near the Syrian eastern border, Iran is clearly getting very nervous. This is especially the case since the Israeli planes had to have USAF codes so that neither would attack each other by mistake. The ability of the Israeli air force to accomplish surprise attacks is legendary in the Middle East (the recent mess in Lebanon is an exception).
Threats by the Iranians must have Israeli pilots rubbing their hands in glee. If Israel were to attack Iran's nuclear related targets it would be sudden and unexpected. Retaliation would most likely consist of missile strikes back at Israel – we don't think the Iranian air force would dare go against the Israeli air force and face certain devastation.
For the Iranians this bluster shows weakness. The Israelis would take out any Iranian aircraft in short order – that is if they could even get by the USAF planes that would see them coming first and no doubt warn Israel. The Iranians would have to run a gauntlet of American and Israeli pilots – what chances do you give the Iranians?
If they shoot medium range missiles at Israel, the latter's Green Pine radar would be ready and likely shoot down most of the incoming missiles plus the US supplied anti-missile systems would be activated. Looks like a series of bad choices for the Mullahs.
Perhaps the Mullahs might want to consider a far better defense of their country. Get rid of Ahmadinejad – that should take the country off the target list. Leaving him in place seems to be doing the Mullahs easy street life no long term good.
If an attack occurs – and its getting closer with even the French talking about it (can you believe it?) – there will almost certainly be a up rising among the mostly young and frustrated Iranians to overthrow the regime. Yes, for the Mullahs to keep their easy life styles, it would be better by far to find a new president.
Iran learns from Syria – but maybe the wrong lesson
By IAG | September 19th, 2007 | Posted in iran, israel, syria | 2 CommentsToday Iran's deputy air force commander said the air force had drawn up plans to bomb Israel in the event Iran was attacked by the Israelis. "We have drawn up a plan to strike back at Israel with our bombers if this regime (Israel) makes a silly mistake," deputy air force chief, Gen. Mohammad Alavi was quoted as telling Fars in an interview.
After the Israelis overflew Syrian air space and apparently attacked a target near the Syrian eastern border, Iran is clearly getting very nervous. This is especially the case since the Israeli planes had to have USAF codes so that neither would attack each other by mistake. The ability of the Israeli air force to accomplish surprise attacks is legendary in the Middle East (the recent mess in Lebanon is an exception).
Threats by the Iranians must have Israeli pilots rubbing their hands in glee. If Israel were to attack Iran's nuclear related targets it would be sudden and unexpected. Retaliation would most likely consist of missile strikes back at Israel – we don't think the Iranian air force would dare go against the Israeli air force and face certain devastation.
For the Iranians this bluster shows weakness. The Israelis would take out any Iranian aircraft in short order – that is if they could even get by the USAF planes that would see them coming first and no doubt warn Israel. The Iranians would have to run a gauntlet of American and Israeli pilots – what chances do you give the Iranians?
If they shoot medium range missiles at Israel, the latter's Green Pine radar would be ready and likely shoot down most of the incoming missiles plus the US supplied anti-missile systems would be activated. Looks like a series of bad choices for the Mullahs.
Perhaps the Mullahs might want to consider a far better defense of their country. Get rid of Ahmadinejad – that should take the country off the target list. Leaving him in place seems to be doing the Mullahs easy street life no long term good.
If an attack occurs – and its getting closer with even the French talking about it (can you believe it?) – there will almost certainly be a up rising among the mostly young and frustrated Iranians to overthrow the regime. Yes, for the Mullahs to keep their easy life styles, it would be better by far to find a new president.
Continental 777 nearly gets shot down
By IAG | April 11th, 2007 | Posted in continental, israel | No CommentsIsraeli warplanes were on the verge of shooting down a commercial airliner on Wednesday. Continental Flight 90 was over the Mediterranean. As it entered Israeli air space it was called upon to identify itself. According to Israel Air Force personnel, the Boeing 777 failed to respond. Israeli security being much more vigilant than any other, and fearing the aircraft may be in the hands of hijackers, the Israeli air force launched two F15s and two F16s to intercept the plane.
A spokeswoman for the Israel Airports Authority the plane was intercepted because it failed to respond when asked to identify itself when it entered Israeli air space. The plane was forced back over the Mediterranean Sea until communications were made with the pilot. No doubt the Continental crew have a lot of explaining to do in Tel Aviv and Newark when they return.
"From the moment that we lost contact with the jet we treated the incident as a possible terror act. When the fighters approached the plane, they guided it west. It contacted us and that's how we were sure it was not a terror attempt," an aviation authority source told Ynet news. You can well imagine the 777's crew reaction to four fighters screaming straight at them. No doubt the crew woke up. We wonder who is paying for the fighter scramble.
The Israeli Transportation Ministry said it was investigating whether there was a technical reason for the initial lack of communication between the plane and Israeli ground control. According to a report on Israel's Channel 10, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defence Minister Amir Peretz, and General Gaby Ashkenazy, chief of staff, were warned that the air force was on the point of shooting down a civilian plane suspected of being in the hands of hijackers.
Following the mid-air drama, Continental Flight 90 touched down at Tel Aviv airport without further incident. We wonder if the passengers had any idea of the spectacle occurring around them. The aviation authority immediately launched an inquiry.
Continental 777 nearly gets shot down
By IAG | April 11th, 2007 | Posted in continental, israel | No CommentsIsraeli warplanes were on the verge of shooting down a commercial airliner on Wednesday. Continental Flight 90 was over the Mediterranean. As it entered Israeli air space it was called upon to identify itself. According to Israel Air Force personnel, the Boeing 777 failed to respond. Israeli security being much more vigilant than any other, and fearing the aircraft may be in the hands of hijackers, the Israeli air force launched two F15s and two F16s to intercept the plane.
A spokeswoman for the Israel Airports Authority the plane was intercepted because it failed to respond when asked to identify itself when it entered Israeli air space. The plane was forced back over the Mediterranean Sea until communications were made with the pilot. No doubt the Continental crew have a lot of explaining to do in Tel Aviv and Newark when they return.
"From the moment that we lost contact with the jet we treated the incident as a possible terror act. When the fighters approached the plane, they guided it west. It contacted us and that's how we were sure it was not a terror attempt," an aviation authority source told Ynet news. You can well imagine the 777's crew reaction to four fighters screaming straight at them. No doubt the crew woke up. We wonder who is paying for the fighter scramble.
The Israeli Transportation Ministry said it was investigating whether there was a technical reason for the initial lack of communication between the plane and Israeli ground control. According to a report on Israel's Channel 10, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defence Minister Amir Peretz, and General Gaby Ashkenazy, chief of staff, were warned that the air force was on the point of shooting down a civilian plane suspected of being in the hands of hijackers.
Following the mid-air drama, Continental Flight 90 touched down at Tel Aviv airport without further incident. We wonder if the passengers had any idea of the spectacle occurring around them. The aviation authority immediately launched an inquiry.
