"US Deploys F-22s to Romania to Bolster NATO" Topic

I'm sure the Russians are quaking in their boots over this deployment of F-22s to Romania, in order to help "bolster" NATO's defenses in the region.

Two F-22 fighter jets are being deployed there.

No, not two squadrons of them, just two aircraft.

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I certainly hope they have a 100% readiness rate, since otherwise only one will be able to take off at any time, on many occasions.

I see the trend, instead of real actions and policy, the US administration has just been sending out airplanes to park at airports around the world.

Didn't the French lose a war by putting their somewhat superior armor into small "penny packets" scattered amongst their infantry?

Yeah, but those F-22s effectively double the air defense capabilities of the country, considering the only other combat aircraft they have right now are 36 MiG-21s…

Damon.

The thing to really consider is that those 36 MIG-21s are now on 'our' side – 30 years ago they were on the Soviet side.

Wow two whole jets- that should tip the balance of power in the region…

Shows how much of a military deficit we have when we think 2 planes are going to represent a real threat to anyone. Putin must be having a hard time sleeping after this news.

Simply stupid.

The F-22 was never deployed in Europe because of the advanced design, and now they're putting two near the border. So much for being invisible. A missile strike would take them out before they could spin their turbines up.

There are only 20 US servicemembers assigned there with the planes.

If I were Putin, I'd be figuring out a way to steal one of them. Average Rm income is US$9,000/ year. How many would accept US$1,000,000 in gold to steal one and truck it to a boat on the Black Sea, destination Russia?

(Nice game scenario, huh?)

Yep, I'm sure Vlad is quaking in his loafers……..

While steal one, when you can steal both of them?

Seems like a good "what-if" Spetsnaz raid scenario to me.

With a little cash thrown around, and some decent planning, they'll be over the border on the back of trucks, before they'll even be missed.

I can hear the stamping of the feet now, in protest.

F22 are now based at Lakenheath – at least at the moment. We've got them buzzing round the Mach Loop in Snowdonia today.

Allegedly. The weather has been bloody awful…so it's possible the high-speed low-level jaunt through the mountains has been cancelled.

If not, someone, somewhere has some exceptionally good photos of this birdie.

F-22 Raptor availability is somewhere around 60-70%, so in all likelihood only 1 aircraft will even be operable.

Having Romanian gangsters storm the airbase to steal an aircraft actually *IS* an interesting game scenario…

Romanians have historically good ties with Chinese… ;)

F-22 Pilots Say They Are Not Being Deployed To Eastern Europe To 'Provoke' Russia

"For the squadron of U.S. fighter pilots standing on the runway of an air base in Romania, the mission is clear: show that the United States is ready to flex its military muscles if needed, and don't provoke the Russians.

Two advanced F-22 U.S. fighters flew to the base on the Black Sea on Monday for the first time since Washington beefed up military support for NATO's eastern European allies, who say they are under pressure from an increasingly aggressive Russia.

The men behind the exercise, taking smartphone pictures of their planes and handing out badges and uniform patches to local Romanian crews, know their job is not to lock horns with President Vladimir Putin's pilots, but to keep their NATO friends happy…"
Full article here
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Hmmm …. they are being put there to not only show the U.S. presence …. but in a certain way to be positioned to "provoke" the Russians if need be. Not surprising …. the Russian defense minister is not optimistic on these developments and on NATO/EU relations ….

"Kremlin not optimistic about relations with NATO, EU"
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Amicalement
Armand

Two aircraft is a "squadron" now.

My, we really ARE broke and underarmed.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

The stupid is strong in this thread.