WP: Air Defense Timeline Cited in Cessna Dispute (shootdown order,or not?)

[DeepModem Mom]

NOTE: Background for this article here --
Rumsfeld Disputes Plane Story
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...
(The WP reported in a page-one article on May 25 that Rumsfeld had ordered a shootdown of the Cessna that strayed into restricted airspace, near the White House, on May 11. Rumsfeld then disputed the Post report that he had ordered a shootdown.)


Air Defense Timeline Cited in Cessna Dispute

By Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 29, 2005; Page A13


A government chronology reports that senior Pentagon officials convened a classified conference call to decide whether to shoot down the small plane inside restricted airspace over Washington this month and that "appropriate engagement" procedures were "readily available."

The timeline of air defense activities was cited by two senior U.S. officials in explaining why operations center personnel from at least two federal agencies acted in the belief that Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld had given authority to military officials to shoot down the stray Cessna, if necessary.

The chronology was prepared by a non-Defense agency as part of briefing documents for Congress and other government agencies. It includes the tense sequence of events at noontime May 11, when a military jet intercepted the plane and fired flares as it came within three miles of the White House.

The small plane never was deemed to be hostile, so a shoot-down order was not required, the senior officials said. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of anti-terrorism activities.

Pentagon officials said that Rumsfeld was notified about what was taking place and that he was available if needed. But the situation never reached the point of requiring his action, they said. Pentagon officials noted that the Defense Department is responsible for conducting the conference call and directing the use of military assets....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

[lala_rawraw]

1. Let us repeat this: WE ALREADY NEW THIS WP...

WTF? Are they in a vortex or some time delay? I think WP needs to read the news a bit more as they are not able to keep their own work up to date.

[MercutioATC]

2. This is not that rare of an occurrance.

PLEASE stop looking at Cessnas straying into restricted airspace as indicators of a supposed conspiracy (I'm not claiming YOU are, but some here do).

It happens all of the time. Sometimes it gets press and sometimes it doesn't. It's nothing for anybody to get their panties in a bunch about.

[burrowowl]

3. All this makes me think

that pilots (this and the other one) were paid to make the scramble system look efficient and that our fearless leaders have control of any situation. What a load of BS!

To be effective: ANY PLANE entering forbidden air-space should be shot down since it poses a danger/threat according to their logic of setting up a forbidden air-space. If these planes had had a biochem or other load then it could have been released and ciao!
Admin or air defense are not consistent in their logic.

Clear day VFR the pilot could see where they, maybe pretty lousy pilots, not like they wer flying hot air baloons.

IFR, their instruments and VOR readings would tell then exactly where they were. Again lousy pilots or admin. trying to look good.

[Ouabache]

4. Shootdown that falls and causes mass casualties lets them off the hook

as far as being accountable for another attack, or LIHOP, as the case may be. But, it still gets them all the good new patriot and martial law they so desparately seek. Doesn't it?

What, me worry? Have a good Memorial Day.