Exactly what I am saying.Something else to consider. I believe it still to be true that the Soviets (now Russians) operated with very, very little to absolutely zero autonomy whereas our officers are given a great deal of latitude in operation of their vessels, aircraft and crews.
@capta, I don't see where I indicated any offense to anything. I just arm chair quarter backed the situation. I'm home working on my sailboat, because I can, because my brave, under payed, over supplied with weapons, Navy is out there making sure I can. My first wish is for most people to die from natural causes and not war, there are some exceptions of course. I don't understand to which alternate strategy you refer.Why is the thought of avoiding any confrontation at all so offensive to you?
Do you think incidents like this have any effect at all for the best? They are pointless, as you said, the US ship could probably have obliterated the Soviet, oops, Putin's toy, or even conversely, who cares?
It's not only the lives of these children playing 'who's got the biggest pair", but the lives of everyone on earth if things get out of control.
We've tried rattling swords for the entire life of this country and a whole lot of dead young Americans lying in unmarked graves around the world was the result.
Don't you think it is time for an alternative strategy?
There is a big difference between firing on a small boat of unknown affiliation and firing on a large naval warship of a known adversary. The consequences of firing on the Russian warship would not be inconsequential. We wouldn't have to worry about Russia meddling in our elections because none of us would be here.I thought after the Cole that the Navy had an exclusion zone around their ships inside of which it is open season? I once saw a destroyer blasting five times on the horn when a power boat was heading full speed at their bow, when the boat didn't slow the destroyer manned a fifty caliber on the bow ready to start shooting. Why accept this affront to their safe space?
Yeah, I had the thought of paintball, but the pink, now that idea was all yours. And a good one.They should have some paint ball shells with pink paint they can shoot at them. Then plaster the pictures all over the net.
That was us with our rented Cat last Tuesday. Two boats on the water. US and CANADIAN flagged vessels. Race on “For God and Country”.you see another boat on the water - RACE! LOL
So true. Yesterday we were exploring the Mayan Temple ruins near the towns of San Ignacio in western Belize. All of a sudden a couple of guys dressed in fatigues come out of the Jungle with M16 short barrels slung from their shoulders.Somewhere in the world this is probably a daily occurrence,
I read Hunt for Red October (very good) but can't say I'm a fan.Scott do you ever read Tom Clancy books?
In that case, perhaps @capta 's approach is better … simply refuse to engage early - don't give them any info. But, OTOH, I don't think weakness is an option. In my opinion, the world is a safer place all around when America is THE unabashed superpower. Leaving a void is more dangerous. Perhaps the world order will change in my lifetime, I hope not. It will be another generation's problem when it does. I'm in complete agreement with @Rick486, this was Russian antagonism and our guys did fine.Knowing when to flinch. Every encounter is recorded, every detail discussed, for the next time.
How is it a weakness to refuse to play childish games with a billion dollar+ machine and hundreds of lives? We know their capability and they know ours down to the tiniest bit of info. What happened to taking the higher road? Must we get down in the muck to prove something we don't need to prove?In that case, perhaps @capta 's approach is better … simply refuse to engage early - don't give them any info. But, OTOH, I don't think weakness is an option. .
I definitely prefer the books he wrote before he died. The dozen or two he has written while he was dead were not nearly as good as the ones he wrote when he was alive.Scott do you ever read Tom Clancy books?