BRKG Turkish fighters invade Greek air space, Greek fighters to the rescue

[BRVoice]

Turkish fighters invade Greek air space, Greek fighters to the rescue


Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Hellas Frappe

photo by defencenet

Turkish fighter jets violated Greek airspace again on Wednesday and obligated Greek air fighters to show the same aggressive behaviour.

From Greece it was reported that two F-16’s from 341M in N. Anchialos and two 330m from South Anchialos - "Keryanos" and a Mirage 2000-5 from 331M were called to action and were challenged with what defencenet just said a very heated tough situation. So much so, that the pilots did not stop until the fighters ran out of fuel.

The dogfight began when a Turkish fighter from Balıkesir attempted to hook a shot parameters missile AIM-120 at the Greek fighters. The outcome of the aerial dogfight is predictable. Ultimately the Greek air force was able to seize full control of Hellenic airspace, even though they were caught off guard by the Turkish fighters, and were capable enough of surprising the opposite side who did not expect this aggressive reaction.

Before the aerial challenge took form and colour, defencenet said that two formations of the Turkish Air Force consisting of 12 fighters, eight of which were armed, made three violations over Greek National Airspace (IDPs) and two violations of the Athens FIR.

Entanglements between Hellenic, alerted fighter aircraft and Turkish fighters violating Greek airspace had not been recorded since September 2010.

Officials at the Defence Ministry were said to be monitoring the situation very carefully.

[AGEUSAF]

The Turks are always up for some fun. They really do pull some shit and seem to get away with it. Anyone here been to incirlik especially during northern watch should know what I am talking about.

[Toad]

What's up with the Turks lately? Screwing with Greece, screwing with Israel, unauthorized excursians into Kurdish Iraq. It's like they're testing lines in the sand.

[BRVoice]

I think that all is related to the amount of oil Cyprus had. Since the turks already had half, now they want all of the island. And, for what I'm understand, they don't give a damn to what the others players in the region may think.

Israeli and Turkish air fighters play hard poker over Plot 12

Thursday, September 29, 2011 Hellas Frappe

Israel decided to play hard poker today and sent a fighter outside of Kastelorizo in response to sending Turkish intelligence aircraft that flew a few miles out of Israeli airspace!

Immediately two Israeli fighter jets took off from the Israeli base to the region over the Rizokarpaso and informed the Office of Civil Aviation of Cyprus and not the FIR Ercan.

The aircraft continued their flights to the Gulf of Mersin and flew parallel to the coast of southern Turkey just 15 miles up Phoenicia near Kastelorizo!

The Israeli fighters followed the regulations stipulated by the FLIR Nicosia and certainly not those of Ercan which illegally considers the airspace over the occupied part of the island as its own, a report on defencenet said adding that when the situation was under control, the fighters headed south and returned to Israel.

Shortly afterwards a Turkish F-16 tried to reach Israel but immediately 6 Israeli fighter jets chased it out of the area!.

Meanwhile the Piri Reis sailed near the plots 7, 8 and 12, in Cyprus EEZ where Noble Energy is drilling for natural gas and oil. (45 km from the platform and 100 km from the coast of Limassol).

Ankara apparently gave permission to the Turkish Petroleum Company Limited (TRAO) to proceed with investigations and drilling west of Paphos and the sea area within the Cyprus’s EEZ.

The Director of the Energy Service of the Cyprus Ministry of Trade - Industry Solon Kasinis presented three-dimensional representation of Venus (or plot 12), indicating a high presence of hydrocarbon regions.

Parallel to all of this, we also found out today that there is a large military presence in the region of "Venus" from the US, which consists of naval vessels of the 6th Fleet. Reports say they are now permanently stationed in the Mediterranean and apparently patrol the area where Nobel is doing the drilling, as well as monitor spy planes and electronic warfare. Also in the area are Israeli military forces.

Even Russian ships, stationed in Syria, have incorporated patrol routes in their routine around plot 12 or "Venus" as have British naval forces and forces of UNIFIL as well.

It is worth noting that the Cyprus Republic has committed a range of 5 miles radius around the plot 12.

The "Piri Reis" actually sailed within 40-60 km south of Akrotiri in Limassol and the closest distance it reached from the Noble Ferrington platform was reported to be some 45 km, a separate report on onalert said.

At the same time Turkish fighters and helicopters also made their appearance west of Paphos and in Akamas.

In any case, and despite the violations recorded by FIR Nicosia, no harassment was reported.

In other news, Amos Gilad, the Director of the Political and Military Office of Israel’s Ministry of Defence made a rush, and unscheduled visit to Athens today, in order to meet with Greek defence ministry officials, Athens press reports said. It is expected that the main subject of discussion cantered around the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Cyprus the new Saudi Arabia?

Vast quantities of oil and natural gas are expected to be found in Plot 12 or "Venus" in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone or (EEZ) and the exact amounts and/or results will be known in late November.

In an important publication entitled "On course to 5,800 meters beneath the sea goes down the drilling rig" the website of the Cypriot newspaper "The Weekly" presented interesting information on the process, technically, the borehole is specified with no spin that "Venus" in addition to gas masks and oil in huge quantities.

Commenting on this, the www.defence-point site said that "if oil is found (here), then Cyprus would become (a new) Saudi Arabia"!

[Ryan Ruck]

Things like this are how wars start.

[BRVoice]

Turkish fighter jet flew over the platform

September 30, 2011 | Filed under: Air Force,Featured News
The Turkish aircraft did not violate the NOTAM issued by the Republic of Cyprus
The Turkish aircraft had taken off from the illegal airport of Tymbou in the occupied part of Cyprus.
Turkey continues provoking Cyprus by keeping significant military forces in the area of the platform of Noble Energy in Block 12.
Specifically, Thursday, shortly after 11 am, an aircraft of the Turkish Air Force flew over and around the platform «Homer», according to reliable sources of “Kathimerini”.
The Turkish aircraft flying at 2200 feet did not violate the NOTAM issued by the Cyprus Republic, which defines the forbidden zone up to 2000 feet above sea level.
The Turkish aircraft had taken off from the illegal airport of Tymbou, to which it returned after his flight over the platform of Noble.
Source: kathimerini.com.cy

[BRVoice]

Tensions with Turkey escalate

September 30, 2011 | Filed under: Geopolitics
Gov’t spokesman refutes reports of PM encouraging Ankara to drill
As tensions mount in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Cyprus started drilling for oil and gas last week, government spokesman Ilias Mossialos on Thursday denied reports according to which Prime Minister George Papandreou told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Athens has no objection to Turkey drilling in the same area as long as it avoids provocative maneuvers.
Mossialos’s comments came as Turkish fighter jets violated Greek air space in the Aegean for the second day in a row after a “truce” that lasted a year and a half.
Mossialos was responding to comments by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, who claimed Papandreou had told Erdogan during a recent telephone call that the Turks can conduct drilling activities too “as long as there is no scaling up of tensions.”
Mossialos also rebuffed reports that a bilateral council of officials was set to convene in Turkey in November, noting that the meeting would take place “when certain conditions have been satisfied.”
Source: ekathimerini.com

[BRVoice]

Man key to Israel’s security in Athens

September 30, 2011 | Filed under: Geopolitics
Amos Gilad makes a sudden visit with great importance in Athens!
The Director of Policy and Political-Military Affairs of the Ministry of Defense of Israel, the most important security adviser in Israel, comes to Athens to meet with the leadership of the Greek MoD.
This visit, with the tension rising in Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey provoking Israel, Cyprus and Greece, cannot be considered accidental.
The contacts Mr.Gilad had so far with Greek officials in Greece and Israel, have left the best impressions on the Greek side, primarily because of the level of information on issues of interest to Greece. This knowledge is very useful during this period.
Mr.Gilad’s latest statements about Turkey are indicative: “Turkey has a lot to lose with an extremist policy.”
Source: onalert.gr

[BRVoice]

Report: IAF jets circled over Turkish ship near Cyprus

Published: 09.30.11, 12:33 / Israel News

Two Israeli aircraft and a helicopter circled above a Turkish ship searching for gas reservoirs near Cyprus, and came near Turkey's coastline, Turkish newspaper Watan Daily reported on Friday.
According to the report, two F-15 jets flew through Cyprus' airspace while ignoring the air controllers' warnings. The jets retreated only after Turkey dispatched two F-16 planes. The IDF Spokesperson's Office said in response that it is unfamiliar with the incident. (Ynet)

[BRVoice]

Military orders mandatory evacuation of highlands in SE Turkey


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Friday, September 30, 2011
HAKKARİ – Doğan News Agency (DHA)

DHA photo

The southeastern Hakkari province's gendarmerie command issued a mandatory evacuation order on Friday, telling villagers to evacuate the highlands on Mount Kato.
The order was sent out in letters to Pınarca, Kamışlı, Çaylıca and Kamal village heads, asking for immediate evacuation of the higlands that lie on the Hakkari side of Mount Kato.
The reason for the evacuation order was reported as to protect civilians from potential harm in the face of increased military operations on and near the mountain.
Military Convoy
Meanwhile, a 20-vehicle military convoy moved into the Hakkari Mountain and Commando Brigade Command.
Armored vehicles named "Kirpi" (Hedgehog), which can resist landmine explosions, were to be sent to Mount Kato, the report said.

[BRVoice]

I've had to use Google Translator for this article


Russian aircraft carrier battle group in the EEZ of Cyprus
30-09-2011 16:25:58

Moscow announced earlier that the Battle Group of the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" from the North Sea (Barents Sea) will sail for the Eastern Mediterranean, near the Cyprus drilling of the "Plot 12", nearly three years after the last presence in the region!

The Battle Group of the aircraft will leave on 13 November for exercises in the Barents Sea and practiced for one week. Then on November 19 will begin its journey to the Mediterranean, but have not announced yet the ports will close.

The duration of the mission of the aircraft carrier battle group in the Mediterranean will be three months. The Admiral Kuznetsov and the ships of the convoy is expected to cross the Strait of Gibraltar in late November when he made known the results of the Cyprus drilling The naval force consisted of 6 destroyers, frigates and support ships!

Patrols in the area since Russian conventional submarine, but it seems it was that there should be more "persuasive" power projection to surface vessels. Of course no one expected that they would send the "Admiral Kuznetsov". Together with the Russian aircraft carrier will sail and the destroyer Admiral Chabanenko, heading Udaloy II. But analysts in the Russian capital said that "There is great interest in developments in Syria.

Russia has already sought permission from Cyprus to perform surveys in two "plots" which has now developed the ... Turkish Fleet! Clearer answer to Ankara can not exist.

The Russian aircraft is equipped with 19 aircraft Su-33, 4 Su-25 (impact) and 17 Ka-27 helicopters and transports a large number of nuclear warheads for use on missiles P-700 Granit.

[American Patriot]

I am going to point out that the number of players involved in this chess game is getting a little heavier now. US, Russia, Israel, Turkey, Greek/Cyprus - and if folks are up there doing dog fights (without the actual firing at one another) it's not going to be long before some launches a missile to take out the opponent. Then war, in earnest, will begin.

And everyone involved will call their buddies (allies) and there will be a regular free-for-all bar fight in the skies, eventually leading to naval forces, tactical nukes and perhaps even global thermonuclear warfare.

To paraphrase Ryan, "This is the stuff of which wars are made..." (AND one of the biggest Cold War scenarios we ever studied in the 60s-80s)

[BRVoice]

Things are getting extremely dangerous now


1 dead in Turkey explosion in Mediterranean town

Published: 09.30.11, 17:44 / Israel News

Turkish authorities say one person has died in an explosion in a Mediterranean town. A news agency has reported the victim is a suicide bomber and the blast was outside a paramilitary police station.

The blast Friday near the southern town of Kemer in Antalya province also injured two people, according to Deputy Gov. Recep Yuksel. He says the explosion wasn't in a tourist area. Dogan news agency, without citing sources, says the attack occurred in front of the paramilitary installation in Goynuk district of Kemer. (AP)

[BRVoice]

Defense Minister says Cyprus will continue drilling within in its EEZ

FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE • Fri, Sep 30, 2011

Cyprus is determined to exercise its sovereign rights with responsibility, seriousness and absolute adherence to the international law, Defense Minister Demetris Eliades, underlined today, in relation to the commencement of oil and gas explorations within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

Eliades met here today with Ukrainian Ambassador to Cyprus, Oleksandr Demaniuk, who assured that his country recognizes Cyprus’ sovereign rights to explore and exploit any oil and gas reserves potentially located off the island. He also reiterated that Ukraine will continue supporting the efforts of President Demetris Christofias, aiming to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue.

Defense Minister referred to the good relations Cyprus and Ukraine maintain particularly after Cypriot President’s recent visit to Ukraine, during which bilateral agreements were signed between the two countries.

Eliades accepted an invitation on behalf of his Ukrainian counterpart, to pay an official visit to Ukraine.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, is the only country in the world, which does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its EEZ, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and signed an “agreement” with the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus, delineating what they call continental shelf.

Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any profit that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

UN-led talks between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus are currently underway in order to reach a negotiated settlement that would reunify the island.
— Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2011

[BRVoice]

President: We will continue exploratory drilling in our EEZ

FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE • Fri, Sep 30, 2011

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has stressed that Cyprus will continue exploratory drilling for the search of any natural gas deposits in its Exclusive Economic Zone.

Addressing an event organised by the ruling left-wing AKEL party on the occasion of the anniversary of Cyprus' Independence Day on the 1st of October, President Christofias said that since the Republic of Cyprus began exploratory drilling, Turkey intensified its provocations and threats, in an effort to prevent Cyprus from exercising its sovereign rights.

''By provoking and threatening, Turkey violates international law and order instead of respecting it'', he stressed, urging the international community, the UN and the EU, to continue efforts so that Turkey respects international law and stops its policy of threats against Cyprus.

Commenting on allegations by Turkish officials and the Turkish Cypriot leadership that the commencement of exploratory drilling has a negative impact on the ongoing Cyprus talks, he said such statements are “excuses”.

President Christofias noted that the Republic of Cyprus does not participate in the Cyprus talks, explaining that it is the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides who are involved in the talks.

“There is no linkage between the explorations for hydrocarbon reserves with the ongoing procedure to solve the Cyprus problem”, he underscored.

The Cypriot President said that the Republic of Cyprus cannot remain hostage of Turkey’s unwillingness to cooperate for the achievement of a solution and thus not exercise its sovereign rights, which he described again as “non – negotiable”.

“We will continue our exploration, always acting strictly in the framework of international law”, he underlined.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said that the partition of Cyprus is not an option for the Greek Cypriot side; it is rather the long lasting goal of Turkey’s expansionist policy.

The solution of the Cyprus problem, he said, is based on the UN Security Council resolutions, the international and European law.

President Christofias noted that Turkey’s intransigent stance is responsible for the lack of a Cyprus solution so far.
— Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2011

[American Patriot]

Hmmm... So we're gonna see a war break out in the next week at this rate. Perhaps in the next two days.

Sheesh.

[BRVoice]

Rick, just a curiosity. If you don't mind I would like to know what kind of scenarios you have studied about in 1960s and 1980s?

[American Patriot]

I don't remember the "names" of particular scenarios, and I can't give you a whole lot of details these days. That was a long time ago for me. But mostly they involved the Soviets and escalation of various situations that would bring about an eventual nuclear strike by one or the other of the two super powers at the time. If I had more time I'd go into more details but as I'm about to head out the door and then head for Denver for the night I'll not be able to do that for a couple of weeks.

[BRVoice]

The original source for the report is here http://www.onalert.gr/default.php?pn...=2&art_id=8667


"Further examples of Erdogan's almost maniacal efforts to continue escalating this situation.

Cyprus is celebrating its' Independence Day on Oct. 1. They've issued the appropriate routine NOTAMs to announce that some sea areas will be closed due to movement of military vessels as part of the celebration, and that there will be fireworks that evening.

On Sept. 30, Turkey issued NOTAMs for 2 separate military exercises to take place in and around Cyprus (in the Nicosia FIR) on Oct. 1. The exercises will involve both air and naval forces. Although the Turkish notices specify that the exercises will be "without firing", it's likely that Turkish aircraft will be overflying Cyprus as part of the exercise, as they've done in the past.

Cyprus has issued a NOTAM in response, basically saying that Turkey designated this exercise area, which falls under the control of Cyprus, without any consultation:

"A0742/11 - NAVIGATIONAL WARNING TO ALL CONCERNED: THIS NOTAM IS ISSUED TO STATE THAT WITH REFERENCE TO TURKISH NOTAM A3196/11 THE EXERCISE AREA STRICTLY LIES WITHIN NICOSIA FIR WHERE THE ONLY COMPETENT AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE NOTAMS ACCORDING TO ICAO RULES AND REGULATIONS IS CYPRUS CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY...THE ABOVE MENTIONED TURKISH NOTAM HAS BEEN ISSUED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR COORDINATION WITH CYPRUS CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY AND THEREFORE CONSIDERED AS NULL AND VOID. 30 SEP 07:13 2011 UNTIL 01 OCT 21:30 2011. CREATED: 30 SEP 07:14 2011".

Given the ongoing situation, I can see no justifiable reason for Turkey to unilaterally announce 2 no-notice exercises to take place on the day that Cyprus is celebrating their independence. The only explanation is that this is a deliberate action on the part of Erdogan intended to create even more tension and discord."

[BRVoice]

Turkey breaks all ties with Russia


Saturday, October 01, 2011 Hellas Frappe

photo by defence-point

Turkey’s Minister of Energy Taner Yildiz announced today that it is going to "break" its contract for natural gas with Russia. Reports in Athens said that Ankara decided on this move after Moscow refused to negotiate on a reduction in the price of gas it imports to this country. Following the “asylum” that Turkey has given Chechen secessionists, a divorce was expected since ties between the two nations were never strong to begin with.

Beyond all the above, what is interesting to note, says an article on defence-point, is that for the first time in its modern history, Turkey has soured its relations with many regional powers in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the West.