According to the Jerusalem Post, Egyptian passenger jets are veering on a regular basis from their flight plan an over Israeli territory in the South. This is forcing the IAF to respond by sending its jets into a position where they can “intercept” if something goes wrong, or if it appears a jet is targeting a building or a hotel. This seems to me like a test of Israel’s response times and capabilities.
It turns out that the Saudis also have an F-15 squadron in a nearby base and they are scrambling their jets regularly as well. Interesting fact from the story, only 4 people in Israel have the authority to order the downing of a passenger jet, and they would likely have 3 or 4 minutes at most to make a decision if a plane is perceived to be hostile.
celestial blue
1/7/2005
hmmm.. sounds a lot like a game siblings play to torment each other, only on a grander scale. You know the game… “I’m not touching you! I’M NO TOUCHING YOU!!” as you point a finger 2 inches from his/her face.
T_M
1/7/2005
Maybe they just want to visit Eilat.
celestial blue
1/7/2005
ha! MAYBE they do!!!
cpt. julius marx usar(ret)
1/8/2005
smoke ‘em down
T_M
1/9/2005
Prime Minister’s office claims it’s a “misunderstanding.”
I don’t think so. The Egyptians know how to read maps.
ck
1/9/2005
You know, having spent loads of time in Egypt (and not just in Sinai), I wouldn’t be surprised if it was in fact accidental. It’s a wonder anything gets done right in that country at all.
T_M
1/9/2005
CK, That’s what they were saying as late as August, 1973.