U.S. bombers, fighters, stage show of force off North Korean coast

[rooster59]

U.S. bombers, fighters, stage show of force off North Korean coast

By Phil Stewart, David Brunnstrom and Christine Kim

 

A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS/SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers escorted by fighter jets flew in international airspace over waters east of North Korea on Saturday, in a show of force the Pentagon said demonstrated the range of military options available to President Donald Trump.

 

The flight, which was disclosed shortly before North Korea's foreign minister was due to address the United Nations, was the farthest north of the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea that any U.S. fighter jet or bomber has flown in the 21st century, the Pentagon said.

 

"This mission is a demonstration of U.S. resolve and a clear message that the President has many military options to defeat any threat," said Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White, calling North Korea's weapons program "a grave threat."

 

"We are prepared to use the full range of military capabilities to defend the U.S. homeland and our allies."

 

North Korea has launched dozens of missiles this year, several flying over Japan, as it accelerates its program aimed at enabling it to target the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile.

 

The flight follows a week of heightened rhetoric from Washington and Pyongyang, with Trump and Kim Jong Un trading insults. Trump called the North Korean leader a "madman" on Friday, a day after Kim dubbed him a "mentally deranged U.S. dotard."

 

Pyongyang conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test on Sept. 3 and has launched dozens of missiles this year as it accelerates a program aimed at enabling it to target the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile. The North has threatened to test a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific.

 

The Pentagon said the B-1B Lancer bombers came from Guam and the U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter escorts came from Okinawa, Japan. It said the operation showed the seriousness with which it took North Korea's "reckless behavior."

 

The patrols came after officials and experts said a small earthquake near North Korea's nuclear test site on Saturday was probably not man-made, easing fears Pyongyang had exploded another nuclear bomb just weeks after its last one.

 

North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho warned on Thursday that North Korea could consider a hydrogen bomb test of an unprecedented scale over the Pacific.

 

Ri did not respond on Saturday when asked by reporters whether North Korea had conducted a new nuclear test.

 

China's Earthquake Administration said the quake was not a nuclear explosion and had the characteristics of a natural tremor.

 

The CTBTO, or Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty Organization, which monitors nuclear tests, and officials of the South Korean meteorological agency also said they believed it was a natural quake.

 

A U.S. intelligence official and U.S.-based non-governmental experts said their initial assessment was that the quake was either natural or connected to North Korea's latest and largest nuclear test on Sept.3, and not caused by a new nuclear test.

 

An official of South Korea's Meteorological Agency said acoustic waves should be detected in the event of a man-made earthquake.

 

"In this case we saw none. So as of now, we are categorising this as a natural earthquake."

 

The earthquake, which South Korea's Meteorological Agency put at magnitude 3.0, was detected 49 km from Kilju in North Hamgyong Province, where North Korea's known Punggye-ri nuclear site is located, the official said.

 

All of North Korea's six nuclear tests registered as earthquakes of magnitude 4.3 or above. The last test registered as a 6.3 magnitude quake.

 

A secondary tremor detected after that test could have been caused by the collapse of a tunnel at the mountainous site, experts said at the time.

Satellite photos after the Sept. 3 quake showed numerous landslides apparently caused by the massive blast, which North Korea said was an advanced hydrogen bomb.

 

TENSIONS HIGH

 

The U.S. Geological Survey said it could not conclusively confirm whether the quake, which it measured at magnitude 3.5, was man-made or natural.

Tensions have continued to rise around the Korean Peninsula since Pyongyang carried out its sixth nuclear test, prompting a new round of U.N. sanctions.

 

Trump said the United States would "totally destroy" North Korea if it threatened the United States or its allies.

 

On Thursday Trump announced new U.S. sanctions that he said allow targeting of companies and institutions that finance and facilitate trade with North Korea.

 

Earlier on Saturday, China said it will limit exports of refined petroleum products from Oct. 1 and ban exports of condensates and liquefied natural gas immediately to comply with the latest U.N. sanctions. It will also ban imports of textiles from North Korea.

 

North Korea's nuclear tests to date have all been underground, and experts say an atmospheric test, which would be the first since one by China in 1980, would be proof of the success of its weapons program.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-09-24

[inThailand]

The chess match continues. Your move!

[BuaBS]

Clear provocation by the US. This close to the NK coast could have been a surprise attack . Kim must have nerves of steel . I probably would have lauched my missiles .

[FreddieRoyle]

It's like trying to put out a raging fire by chucking a bucket of oil on it. I would have favored some Bio weapon to be used on the NK elites headquarters, something very contagious and deadly(no not liberalism!), the US must have heaps of options for such a device and its stealthy deployment.

[ezzra]

Name calling , insults and playing chicken with Kim Jong Un is Trump gambit to force the Chinese  to step up and exert more control the N. Korea and it's nuclear ambitions even to the point of pushing the situation to a brinkmanship, and to prevent the bad situation from getting worse and from any further irreversible acts that will light up the Korean peninsula....

 

[vogie]

38 minutes ago, BuaBS said:

Clear provocation by the US. This close to the NK coast could have been a surprise attack . Kim must have nerves of steel . I probably would have lauched my missiles .

Lets all feel sorry for that nice Mr Kim shall we. I would sooner have the US as my neighbour than N Korea, as would many I suspect?

[marginline]

1 hour ago, inThailand said:

The chess match continues. Your move!

Hardly a "chess match" inThailand. More like a game of draughts (checkers). 

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, BuaBS said:

Clear provocation by the US. This close to the NK coast could have been a surprise attack . Kim must have nerves of steel . I probably would have lauched my missiles .

Agreed! But NK has been doing this for decades. Time to stop the insanity.

[MalandLee]

Whilst many may privately ponder….

 

What seems to be missing, in this debate, is “the big picture” (One of many “big pictures” some would argue).

 

Like it or not we are a “tribal” world, we have yet to emerge as a cohesive “human race”. Possibly the only transition to a “one world” would be an attack from an alien species. Unlikely of course.

 

Regardless of our tribal status, the planet we live ON belongs to us all – EQUALLY.

 

“Tribes”, exercising their “rights” to destroy portions of our planet, MUST END. It is our collective responsibility to end this, forever!!

 

A madman in North Korea exploding a hydrogen bomb in the pacific is TOTALLY unacceptable.

 

Many only see the effects on humanity (Which potentially is significant).

 

However, the historic tests in the pacific, did MASSIVE damage to the environment (OUR Planet). Animals living in the ocean at point zero and many kilometres/miles surrounding point zero were vaporised – further away they suffered horrendous injuries, blindness, deafness and more. Hundreds of kilometres away from point zero were significant consequences. Long term - it is incalculable.

 

Must we as a species repeat this abuse of the planet we live on??

 

There are many “opinions” on what is required to stop this insanity.

 

BUT, there are very few actions – The USA is a leader in attempting to stop these “tests” by the deranged regime of North Korea. NK has already demonstrated a “could not care less” attitude towards our planet. My “tribe” is a supporter of the USA – as are many other “tribes”. Alone we are insignificant, But, we can add to the collection of “tribes” that do see the need for change, adding to the “clout” of the USA.

 

Sadly, for the whole of Humanity, China supports NK. China supports all the worlds dictatorships (Its veto and voting in the UN supports this) and it displays contempt towards democracy – For example, China is not part of the fight against ISIL. China has demonstrated it also “could NOT care less” about the environment, in fact some provinces of China are barred to foreigners due to MASSIVE pollution.

 

China, as a “tribe”, is no longer controllable by “historic” human means (Which is of course WAR). BUT, There are other ways to “invite” them to abandon the worst aspects of TRIBALISM and engage with us all.

 

I am not optimistic about the future of our species, in fact there are times I think we are a parasitic entity, here on EARTH.

 

 

 

 

I sincerely hope any debate focuses away from “individuals” alone. Whilst some powerful individuals do contribute, they are only part of the whole debate.

[craigt3365]

56 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Name calling , insults and playing chicken with Kim Jong Un is Trump gambit to force the Chinese  to step up and exert more control the N. Korea and it's nuclear ambitions even to the point of pushing the situation to a brinkmanship, and to prevent the bad situation from getting worse and from any further irreversible acts that will light up the Korean peninsula....

 

The new earthquakes at the test site might push China over the edge. Some are reporting the possibility of radiation being released now. Lovely way for NK to treat it's neighbors.

[marginline]

I do sincerely hope so because as you pointed out earlier, the PRK "has been doing this for decades." And it most certainly is "time to stop the insanity."

[sweatalot]

55 minutes ago, MalandLee said:

Whilst many may privately ponder….

 

What seems to be missing, in this debate, is “the big picture” (One of many “big pictures” some would argue).

 

Like it or not we are a “tribal” world, we have yet to emerge as a cohesive “human race”. Possibly the only transition to a “one world” would be an attack from an alien species. Unlikely of course.

 

Regardless of our tribal status, the planet we live ON belongs to us all – EQUALLY.

 

“Tribes”, exercising their “rights” to destroy portions of our planet, MUST END. It is our collective responsibility to end this, forever!!

 

A madman in North Korea exploding a hydrogen bomb in the pacific is TOTALLY unacceptable.

 

Many only see the effects on humanity (Which potentially is significant).

 

However, the historic tests in the pacific, did MASSIVE damage to the environment (OUR Planet). Animals living in the ocean at point zero and many kilometres/miles surrounding point zero were vaporised – further away they suffered horrendous injuries, blindness, deafness and more. Hundreds of kilometres away from point zero were significant consequences. Long term - it is incalculable.

 

Must we as a species repeat this abuse of the planet we live on??

 

There are many “opinions” on what is required to stop this insanity.

 

BUT, there are very few actions – The USA is a leader in attempting to stop these “tests” by the deranged regime of North Korea. NK has already demonstrated a “could not care less” attitude towards our planet. My “tribe” is a supporter of the USA – as are many other “tribes”. Alone we are insignificant, But, we can add to the collection of “tribes” that do see the need for change, adding to the “clout” of the USA.

 

Sadly, for the whole of Humanity, China supports NK. China supports all the worlds dictatorships (Its veto and voting in the UN supports this) and it displays contempt towards democracy – For example, China is not part of the fight against ISIL. China has demonstrated it also “could NOT care less” about the environment, in fact some provinces of China are barred to foreigners due to MASSIVE pollution.

 

China, as a “tribe”, is no longer controllable by “historic” human means (Which is of course WAR). BUT, There are other ways to “invite” them to abandon the worst aspects of TRIBALISM and engage with us all.

 

I am not optimistic about the future of our species, in fact there are times I think we are a parasitic entity, here on EARTH.

 

 

 

 

I sincerely hope any debate focuses away from “individuals” alone. Whilst some powerful individuals do contribute, they are only part of the whole debate.

 

 

Preventing another H-Bomb explosion is reason enough to finish him now

Don't wait until it happens

Edited September 24, 2017 by sweatalot

[retarius]

I do hope that one of the warring parties will mature into adulthood soon and cease with the provocations. IS provocations haven't deterred Kim, and Kim's provocations have done nothing to change Trump's desire for war. So just shut up and let us live in peace.

 

Nukes are deterrent weapons and Kim has a right to defend himself against attack, so let him have the weapons as he can never use them without facing annihilation.

[retarius]

3 hours ago, MalandLee said:

Whilst many may privately ponder….

 

What seems to be missing, in this debate, is “the big picture” (One of many “big pictures” some would argue).

 

Like it or not we are a “tribal” world, we have yet to emerge as a cohesive “human race”. Possibly the only transition to a “one world” would be an attack from an alien species. Unlikely of course.

 

Regardless of our tribal status, the planet we live ON belongs to us all – EQUALLY.

 

“Tribes”, exercising their “rights” to destroy portions of our planet, MUST END. It is our collective responsibility to end this, forever!!

 

A madman in North Korea exploding a hydrogen bomb in the pacific is TOTALLY unacceptable.

 

Many only see the effects on humanity (Which potentially is significant).

 

However, the historic tests in the pacific, did MASSIVE damage to the environment (OUR Planet). Animals living in the ocean at point zero and many kilometres/miles surrounding point zero were vaporised – further away they suffered horrendous injuries, blindness, deafness and more. Hundreds of kilometres away from point zero were significant consequences. Long term - it is incalculable.

 

Must we as a species repeat this abuse of the planet we live on??

 

There are many “opinions” on what is required to stop this insanity.

 

BUT, there are very few actions – The USA is a leader in attempting to stop these “tests” by the deranged regime of North Korea. NK has already demonstrated a “could not care less” attitude towards our planet. My “tribe” is a supporter of the USA – as are many other “tribes”. Alone we are insignificant, But, we can add to the collection of “tribes” that do see the need for change, adding to the “clout” of the USA.

 

Sadly, for the whole of Humanity, China supports NK. China supports all the worlds dictatorships (Its veto and voting in the UN supports this) and it displays contempt towards democracy – For example, China is not part of the fight against ISIL. China has demonstrated it also “could NOT care less” about the environment, in fact some provinces of China are barred to foreigners due to MASSIVE pollution.

 

China, as a “tribe”, is no longer controllable by “historic” human means (Which is of course WAR). BUT, There are other ways to “invite” them to abandon the worst aspects of TRIBALISM and engage with us all.

 

I am not optimistic about the future of our species, in fact there are times I think we are a parasitic entity, here on EARTH.

 

 

 

 

I sincerely hope any debate focuses away from “individuals” alone. Whilst some powerful individuals do contribute, they are only part of the whole debate.

Kim isn't a madman he is totally sane. He is seeking, like everyone else ina  power position to keep and maybe expand his power. He doesn't want to be 'regime changed' by the US and hence is developing a deterrent. He saw Gadhafi and Saddam give up their WMD programs and then get deposed and killed after US sponsored interventions, so why would he give up his program as it means certain death for him.

The Pentagon propaganda machine has been painting Kim as mad to justify a war and so you have come to believe it. We should all question what we read and seek other views instead of just accepting what we read.

[stevenl]

3 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Agreed! But NK has been doing this for decades. Time to stop the insanity.

They both have.

[craigt3365]

26 minutes ago, retarius said:

Kim isn't a madman he is totally sane. He is seeking, like everyone else ina  power position to keep and maybe expand his power. He doesn't want to be 'regime changed' by the US and hence is developing a deterrent. He saw Gadhafi and Saddam give up their WMD programs and then get deposed and killed after US sponsored interventions, so why would he give up his program as it means certain death for him.

The Pentagon propaganda machine has been painting Kim as mad to justify a war and so you have come to believe it. We should all question what we read and seek other views instead of just accepting what we read.

Kim is not sane.  No sane person would murder their relative with an anti-aircraft gun for falling asleep in a meeting.  Impossible.  Even psychiatrists agree with this.

 

No leader of the Western world seeks to retain their power in the same way Kim does.  Brutalize their people, commit a variety of illegal acts, threaten their neighbors, and kill their relatives.  None.  Zero.

 

Of course he doesn't want to lose power.  He's living the good life while his people suffer.  Amazing you support that.

 

Pentagon propaganda machine.  Stop, please.

[Morch]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

I do hope that one of the warring parties will mature into adulthood soon and cease with the provocations. IS provocations haven't deterred Kim, and Kim's provocations have done nothing to change Trump's desire for war. So just shut up and let us live in peace.

 

Nukes are deterrent weapons and Kim has a right to defend himself against attack, so let him have the weapons as he can never use them without facing annihilation.

 

A country may have a right for self defense on this level. And even then, the acceptability has something to do with the country's conduct and stability. A person is not afforded the same "right", not even if he's the leader of a country. North Korea is one thing, Kim is another. The issue is not the prospects of Kim facing annihilation, but the many other people held hostage to assure his personal survival.

[Naam]

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS/SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers escorted by fighter jets flew in international airspace over waters east of North Korea on Saturday, in a show of force the Pentagon said demonstrated the range of military options available to President Donald Trump.

and now Kimmie Boy has proof that U.S. planes can fly

[Naam]

57 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Kim is not sane.  No sane person would murder their relative with an anti-aircraft gun for falling asleep in a meeting.  Impossible.  Even psychiatrists agree with this.

insane are the people who invent these ridiculous stories without having any tangible proof.

Quote

Kim Jong Un executes five senior officials with ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS ...

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/.../kim-jong-un-executes-officials-guns-fake-reports/

27 Feb 2017 - Anti-aircraft guns are believed to be one of the brutal methods of ... Korea says it believes Kim Jong Un ordered the killing of Kim Jong-nam on ..

 

[craigt3365]

5 minutes ago, Naam said:

insane are the people who invent these ridiculous stories without having any tangible proof.

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32716749

 

Quote

 

MPs were told Mr Hyon was killed on 30 April by anti-aircraft fire in front of an audience of hundreds, the Yonhap news agency reports.

 

It said Mr Hyon had fallen asleep during an event attended by Kim Jong-un and had not carried out instructions.

 

The news comes weeks after the reported execution of 15 senior officials.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-north-korea-anti-aircraft-gun-execution-20160830-story.html

Quote

He had about 50 officials executed in 2014 on charges ranging from graft to watching South Korean soap operas.

 

Be nice.

[nasanews]

Americans are good at bombing anything, but they never won a war.

[craigt3365]

Just now, nasanews said:

Americans are good at bombing anything, but they never won a war.

Nice troll post.  Again.

[rijb]

16 minutes ago, Naam said:

and now Kimmie Boy has proof that U.S. planes can fly

And the world has proof that the fat slob's army can goose step.  

 

 

[rijb]

1 minute ago, nasanews said:

Americans are good at bombing anything, but they never won a war.

What does a 'win' look like to you?  

[Naam]

4 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Be nice.

Quote

Yonhap News Agency is South Korea's news agency. It is a funded company, based in Seoul, South Korea.

Quote

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32716749

North Korea's Defence Minister Hyon Yong-chol has been executed for showing disloyalty to leader Kim Jong-un, South Korea's spy agency has told parliament.

[southcoast]

7 hours ago, BuaBS said:

Clear provocation by the US. This close to the NK coast could have been a surprise attack . Kim must have nerves of steel . I probably would have lauched my missiles .

So firing missiles over Japan is not "provocation" in your book, if you had Launched missiles you probably wouldn't be here now on TVN. Sounds like your in league with Kim Jong <deleted> and the IQ of a goldfish.Get a life!.

[nobodysfriend]

Nice post , thanks ...

I have said very similar things in my previous posts and totally agree with you ...

 

It is time for people to open their minds ... look , there are billions of galaxies , an incredible amount of planetary systems where life is possible , billions and billions of planets ... If we on our ( once ) beautiful planet fail and destroy the balance of the natural system , there will still be billions of other planets where the dominant species will be more intelligent and survive and evolve ...

Up to us to wake up and realize what is important for all before it is too late , or we will become extinct as the dinosaurs ... would be a pity , or not ...?

 

One can learn a lot from Astronomy , I call that Astrophilosophy and it provides a lot of answers ... but we will probably never be able to colonize and live on another planet , to do that , we would have to travel faster than light and that will never be possible ... so we have only this planet ... if we destroy it , it is only proof of a stupid species unable to survive ... an error of evolution ...

Mai pen rai , somewhere else they will be more intelligent .

Edited September 24, 2017 by nobodysfriend

[stevenl]

17 minutes ago, southcoast said:

So firing missiles over Japan is not "provocation" in your book, if you had Launched missiles you probably wouldn't be here now on TVN. Sounds like your in league with Kim Jong <deleted> and the IQ of a goldfish.Get a life!.

Who says firing missiles is not a provocation?

[nobodysfriend]

3 hours ago, retarius said:

Kim isn't a madman he is totally sane

Well , I dunno , but I doubt it ... anyway who is " totally sane " ? Don't say Donald is ...!

Putin said : " They would rather eat grass , than give up their nuclear program "

[ilostmypassword]

1 hour ago, southcoast said:

So firing missiles over Japan is not "provocation" in your book, if you had Launched missiles you probably wouldn't be here now on TVN. Sounds like your in league with Kim Jong <deleted> and the IQ of a goldfish.Get a life!.

It sounds like he's in league with the IQ of a goldfish? Might be said that's the kind of thing someone with the IQ of a goldfish would say.