Putin thinks Obama's a punk

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Russian military aircraft flew just 500 feet over two U.S. Navy ships this week as the ships participated in a joint military exercise with South Korea in the Sea of Japan, according to U.S. military officials.

Two Russian Ilyushin IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft flew only 500 feet above a U.S. aircraft carrier.

On Monday, two Russian Ilyushin IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft, known as "Mays," overflew the U.S. aircraft carrier Stennis while it was in international waters in the Sea of Japan.

The Russian aircraft flew about 500 feet over the ship, lower than other flights the Russians have made over U.S. ships in the past year.

The USS Stennis was about 80 miles east of Pohang, South Korea, participating in the joint military exercise when the flyover occurred.

On Tuesday, the USS Blue Ridge, a lead command and control ship, and the Stennis were overflown by two Russian "Bear" long-range bombers multiple times, according to U.S. military officials.

The Bears overflew the ships at about 2,000 feet, officials said.

U.S. military officials said that in both cases, U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighters met up with the Russian aircraft about 70 nautical miles from the U.S. ships and flew alongside them until they left the area.

On both days, U.S. aircraft tried contacting the Russian planes on international air frequency radio channels, but the Russian pilots did not respond, officials said.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/1...anes/index.html

[*Robert* 2]

While deployed on both the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Enterprise, I had the privledge to witness such sights, and it happens all the time. Nothing new here, except that when I was in the Navy, they used 2 F-14 Tomcats as escorts... one on the wing, and one under the belly. If the Bear launched anything, the F-14 under the belly would take it out, and the F-14 by the wing, would take out the Bear!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

While deployed on both the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Enterprise, I had the privledge to witness such sights, and it happens all the time. Nothing new here, except that when I was in the Navy, they used 2 F-14 Tomcats as escorts... one on the wing, and one under the belly. If the Bear launched anything, the F-14 under the belly would take it out, and the F-14 by the wing, would take out the Bear!

I doubt that the Navy is worried. Just a feeble attempt by the Russians to flex their muscles.