Russian Nuclear Armed Bombers Circle Guam.

[txradioguy]

Nuclear-armed Russian bombers reportedly circled the U.S. island territory of Guam this week, prompting U.S. jets to scramble and respond. 

The Washington Free Beacon reports that two Russian Tu-95 Bear-H strategic bombers circled the island on Feb. 12, shortly before President Obama delivered his State of the Union address. 

They were followed by U.S. jets but the incident apparently ended after the Russian bombers left. 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/15/nuclear-armed-russian-jets-reportedly-circled-us-territory-guam/

[DumbAss Tanker]

Bears are also their long-range maritime patrol planes.  Unless somebody has a pipeline to the Russian Stavka, it's a bit inflammatory to say 'Nuclear-armed' instead of 'Nuclear-capable.'  Of course anything that can lift more than a hundred pounds is technically 'Nuclear capable.'

[txradioguy]

Bears are also their long-range maritime patrol planes.  Unless somebody has a pipeline to the Russian Stavka, it's a bit inflammatory to say 'Nuclear-armed' instead of 'Nuclear-capable.'  Of course anything that can lift more than a hundred pounds is technically 'Nuclear capable.'

The F-15's identified them as carrying live missiles.

he Russian Tu-95 Bear-H strategic bombers were equipped with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and were followed by U.S. jets as they circumnavigated Guam on Feb. 12 local time—hours before President Barack Obama’s state of the union address.

http://freebeacon.com/bear-bombers-over-guam/

The PACOM spokes person also said that this is unusual for the bombers to venture into the south pacific because of the distance from the Russian far east bases.

[CG6468]

If they were in US waters, wouldn't that be an act of war?

[txradioguy]

If they were in US waters, wouldn't that be an act of war?

YEah it would...but I'm guessing they stayed outside of that radius.

[CG6468]

YEah it would...but I'm guessing they stayed outside of that radius.

Details! We need more details!

[txradioguy]

Details! We need more details!

I agree.  But the details aren't forthcoming. 

[CG6468]

I agree.  But the details aren't forthcoming. 

Or 5th, 6th or 7th coming either. When will details be provided? Never.

[DumbAss Tanker]

The F-15's identified them as carrying live missiles.

http://freebeacon.com/bear-bombers-over-guam/

The PACOM spokes person also said that this is unusual for the bombers to venture into the south pacific because of the distance from the Russian far east bases.

Missiles, sure, I'll believe the 'Armed with nuclear warheads' part when I see the hi-res pics of the printing on the warheads.  Not that the Russians wouldn't do it, just that it's kind of a leap to a conclusion.  Of course if they had any intent to use the damn' things, nobody would've ever seen the Bears, the whole point of the missiles is that they are stand-off weapons so the carrier never has to get within engagement range of the target.

The 'Act of War' thing is too dumb to even address.  That kind of nonthinking is why KAL 007 got shot down by some Soviet PVO-Straniy dipshits back in the day.

[5412]

Missiles, sure, I'll believe the 'Armed with nuclear warheads' part when I see the hi-res pics of the printing on the warheads.  Not that the Russians wouldn't do it, just that it's kind of a leap to a conclusion.  Of course if they had any intent to use the damn' things, nobody would've ever seen the Bears, the whole point of the missiles is that they are stand-off weapons so the carrier never has to get within engagement range of the target.

The 'Act of War' thing is too dumb to even address.  That kind of nonthinking is why KAL 007 got shot down by some Soviet PVO-Straniy dipshits back in the day.

Hi,

Perhaps this is Putin's way of showing the world that Erkel has no testerone; he never would have done it when Reagan was president.

Regards,
5412

[DLR Pyro]

Hi,

Perhaps this is Putin's way of showing the world that Erkel has no testerone; he never would have done it when Reagan was president.

Regards,
5412

or he was signaling that he  is ready for that meeting obama promised him after the election when he will have more "flexibility".

as a side note, I am a hardcore fan of the B-52 having been a former crew chief on both G and H models, but I have always found the Tu-95 Bear with it's sleek fuselage, long landing gear and contra-rotating props to be a tad bit sexy.

[rich_t]

or he was signaling that he  is ready for that meeting obama promised him after the election when he will have more "flexibility".

as a side note, I am a hardcore fan of the B-52 having been a former crew chief on both G and H models, but I have always found the Tu-95 Bear with it's sleek fuselage, long landing gear and contra-rotating props to be a tad bit sexy.

That is a sweet looking bird.

[Maxiest]

That is one sexy plane.

[CG6468]

Still anxiously awaiting confirmation of this from the MSM.

Tap....tap....tap....tap.................

[DumbAss Tanker]

as a side note, I am a hardcore fan of the B-52 having been a former crew chief on both G and H models, but I have always found the Tu-95 Bear with it's sleek fuselage, long landing gear and contra-rotating props to be a tad bit sexy.

They are a pretty cool bird, with a service life that beats almost anything but a Buff, and it's one nobody can accuse the Russkiis of stealing from anywhere else.  Reputedly pretty loud inside, but my direct experience with riding in military aircraft is limited to the C130, C141, C5, C17, a couple of French types we don't operate, and troop-carrying choppers, so I'm not sure what 'Loud' meant for the person who was the source of that comment.

[Maxiest]

A little more info:

“Every day brings new evidence that Obama’s ideological obsession with dismantling our nuclear deterrent is dangerous,” Bolton said. “Our national security is in danger of slipping off the national agenda even as the threats grow.”

Defense officials said the bombers tracked over Guam were likely equipped with six Kh-55 or Kh-55SM cruise missiles that can hit targets up to 1,800 miles away with either a high-explosive warhead or a 200-kiloton nuclear warhead.

The F-15s that intercepted the bombers were based at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and were deployed to Guam for the ongoing annual Exercise Guahan Shield 2013.

Two U.S. B-2 strategic bombers were deployed to Guam in late January and last fall advanced F-22 fighter bombers were temporarily stationed on the island. Three nuclear-powered attack submarines and the Global Hawk long-range drone also are based in Guam.

http://freebeacon.com/bear-bombers-over-guam/

[vesta111]

I know raises hand, I know.    The Russians were there to scare everyone on the island to run to the western shore and hoping the island would tip over.   They be watching too much American TV and our politicians.

[DefiantSix]

I know raises hand, I know.    The Russians were there to scare everyone on the island to run to the western shore and hoping the island would tip over.   They be watching too much American TV and our politicians.

  given, ma'am!

[Maxiest]

I know raises hand, I know.    The Russians were there to scare everyone on the island to run to the western shore and hoping the island would tip over.   They be watching too much American TV and our politicians.

Best and shortest post ever by vesta.

[J P Sousa]

My question, why props (Russian Tu-95).......fuel economy only ?

[DLR Pyro]

My question, why props (Russian Tu-95).......fuel economy only ?

Most likely for fuel economy to extend the range. Turbo props produce quite a bit of thrust and the contra-rotating design even more thrust plus a lot more noise than a conventional single prop configuration.

[NHSparky]

My question, why props (Russian Tu-95).......fuel economy only ?

Why B-52's?  Because they're still a workhorse with the legs and the numbers to do what they were intended for even 50-60 years ago.

And when you can count the number of operational Blackjack bombers on both hands with fingers left over, well....