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In defiant flyover, U.S. F-18 fighter jets enter Venezuelan airspace for 40 minutes

https://lemmy.world/post/39970609

In defiant flyover, U.S. F-18 fighter jets enter Venezuelan airspace for 40 minutes - Lemmy.World

Two U.S. F-18 fighter jets flying in tandem entered Venezuelan airspace around noon Tuesday, circling over the Gulf of Venezuela in the latest show of force against the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The flyover — carried out despite the Venezuelan regime’s possession of a number of Russian-made anti-aircraft batteries — took place less than 100 miles northeast of Maracaibo, Venezuela’s second-largest city. Thousands of Venezuelans tracked the aircraft online through specialized tracking websites, watching as the jets traced a bow-tie-shaped pattern over the gulf. The fighters remained inside Venezuelan airspace for at least 40 minutes at an altitude of roughly 25,000 feet before heading north and leaving the area.

Dec 10 at 12:48amWeb
Show threadkhepriDec 10
Trump is trying to get an F-18 shot down, just the same as he was praying a nat’l guard member would get shot down, so he can justify doing whatever the fuck he wants.
Show threadRenohrenDec 10
This is all correct. It’s insulting to the intelligence of foreign governments though.
Show threadZigguratDec 10

I am curious what was in the pilot’s mind at this moment? I Know, militaires have to follow order, but here they’re flying illegally over a foreign country, which has (cold War era but still) air-defence, in a non stealth plane while keeping transponder/ADS-B active.

Looks like not only illegal but also betting that Venezuela will stay calm enough to do anything about them

Show threadRenohrenDec 10

Militaries don’t “have to” follow orders. They accept full responsibility for these orders. They can refuse orders and will have to accept responsibility for not following them.

Evaluation of the legality of the order happens in court, both entail respect of the constitution AND international treaties the country has signed, both use judges, lawyers and prosecutors. Are formalised to the extreme.

Following orders of such an unpopular government is the biggest long term threat on any soldier. Most understand this, I hope.

Show threadinfinitesunriseDec 10
The “I’m not touching you” harassment in the hopes of getting the fight you want without the blame for starting it. I remember this coward’s tactic from bullies in grade school.