Originally Posted by
FDXLAG
Ask yourself what would Russia do?
I can't answer for the Russians, but I can answer what I would have done, having spent a ton of time in No-Fly Zones.
We had bad guys (Iraqis), and others (Syrians; Iranians). If an Iraqi jet crossed the line, we were going to engage....no warning.
If it was a third-party, we would have used radio, interception and escort, and gun warning-shots across the nose.
The Fencer here was in an obvious CAS orbit. Even with no ordnance, F-16s could have joined to close formation and pointed to the South to say "get out." If the Su-24 was bold enough to try something, there is no way he could ever point at a Viper. They would reposition, and now with hostile intent demonstrated, shoot.
I saw multiple occasions in the No-Fly where the Turks would enter the Zone and attack the very people we were there to protect....from Iraq. We would be ordered out of the Zone.....
Turkey has not been playing ball since Kobane. They are highly suspected of buying the stolen oil. They hate the Kurds, and the Kurds are the only effective ground force against ISIS.
Wake up, Turkey. Russia should not be your enemy.
Wake up, world. Turkey is not acting like a friend.