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AKgringo
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An interesting tidbit for Aircraft fans.....
Ok, this has nothing to do with Baja, or private aircraft, but it might be of interest to the pilots or military aircraft fans on this forum.
I was driving by the north end of Beal Airforce Base (near Marysville CA) and I watched a U-2 spy plane come in for a landing! Those old planes were
around in the 50s and 60s, but I did not know they were still in use! 
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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mtgoat666
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In the news: recently the US has been using U2s and Reaper drones to spy on the border, and to spy inside of mexico. The stated objective is to
monitor the border, and collect intel on criminal orgs. Isuspect they are monitoring a bit more than they say…
Woke!
Hands off!
“Por el bien de todos, primero los pobres.”
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Pronoun: the royal we
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Tioloco
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Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  | | In the news: recently the US has been using U2s and Reaper drones to spy on the border, and to spy inside of mexico. The stated objective is to
monitor the border, and collect intel on criminal orgs. Isuspect they are monitoring a bit more than they say… |
US military acknowledged they are using aircraft to gather intelligence in Mexico. Recent air trackers have shown flights over Sinaloa and up and down
the Sea of Cortez. Targets have surely been identified already.
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AKgringo
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U-2s might be flying over Baja?
Cool...I might not be off-topic after all! I still wonder why we are using cold-war technology with all the advancements in drone and satellite
technology that has been made in the decades since that aircraft was introduced.
For those who may not be familiar with the U-2, it is probably the most difficult aircraft to take off and land that was ever designed. With
"skateboard like" landing gear, it requires two support vehicles to race down the runway supporting the wing tips until it takes off, or comes to a
stop.
That sure limits where a pilot could land and hope to take off again!
[Edited on 5-6-2025 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Tioloco
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A US Air Force RC-135 "Rivet" was one of the intel planes sent to fly over Sinaloa gathering information. No doubt there are many more we aren't aware
of being used as well.
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David K
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We sure are not "spying on Mexico" as the government there is not threatening war with us. We (apparently) are looking to find drug shipments heading
north, to SAVE lives. 
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BeachSeeker
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| Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo | Cool...I might not be off-topic after all! I still wonder why we are using cold-war technology with all the advancements in drone and satellite
technology that has been made in the decades since that aircraft was introduced.
For those who may not be familiar with the U-2, it is probably the most difficult aircraft to take off and land that was ever designed. With
"skateboard like" landing gear, it requires two support vehicles to race down the runway supporting the wing tips until it takes off, or comes to a
stop.
That sure limits where a pilot could land and hope to take off again!
[Edited on 5-6-2025 by AKgringo] |
Current U2s are far from "Cold War Technology." I don't think there's a single U.S. U2 still flying that was built during the Cold War. They are quite
a bit bigger now, different engines, and the sensors are modern. The chase cars aren't "supporting" anything. They just go and pick up the pogos that
support the long wings during ground operations. The pogos fall out as soon as the U2 lifts off. The chase car does have a pilot onboard to assist the
U2 pilot in landing, by calling out altitudes as it lands.
Drones and satellites just can't fully replace what the U2 can do. Despite what they show on TV, you can't just make a satellite zoom in on any point
that you want. They are in orbit and have a finite amount of fuel available for steering. A U2 can fly anywhere and loiter. Drones just can't carry
the amount of payload the U2 can. The U2 has a whole lot more than cameras onboard. Many of the sensors and capabilities are well beyond what the
average person knows about.
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AKgringo
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"BeachSeeker", thanks for updating my perspective of that old plane! I was surprised and thought it was cool to have one pass over me at very low
altitude.
It has been quite a few years, but the SR71s used to be stationed there.
Those were the loudest planes I have ever heard as they were climbing to altitude!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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surabi
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | We sure are not "spying on Mexico" as the government there is not threatening war with us. We (apparently) are looking to find drug shipments heading
north, to SAVE lives. |
Entering another country's airspace without permission to do surveillance is indeed spying.
Guess you don't remember the outcry over Chinese balloons over the US, which they claimed were just weather balloons, but which many were convinced
were spy balloons.
Whether another country is threatening war has nothing to do with the definition of spying, nor does the alleged purpose of the surveillance.
[Edited on 5-6-2025 by surabi]
[Edited on 5-6-2025 by surabi]
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pacificobob
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 | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | We sure are not "spying on Mexico" as the government there is not threatening war with us. We (apparently) are looking to find drug shipments heading
north, to SAVE lives. |
Elimination of the american demand for drugs would end the narco business immediately.
I worked with several guys who had flown the U2. I admired how little they had to say regarding the job.
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lencho
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Unfortunately, that would not end the criminal cartels. And the stuff they're branching out into (protection money, kidnapping, agriculture &
fisheries, etc.) is much more harmful to the local populace than when they were completely focused on import-export of illegal product.
"I can normally tell how intelligent a man is, by how stupid he thinks I
am."
"...they were careful of their demeanor that they not be thought to have opinions on what they heard for like most men skilled at their work they
were scornful of any least suggestion of knowing anything not learned at first hand."
Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses
"Be kind, be patient, help others." -- Isabel Allende
"My gas stove identifies as electric." Anonymous
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AKgringo
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The U-2 and the Corvette are about the same age!
The Corvette that is being manufactured now is a far cry from the one I wanted when I was in high school. After viewing a few videos online, it is
apparent the U-2 has evolved at least as much the car I watched on Route 66! (the 1960 TV show)
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Tioloco
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| Quote: Originally posted by lencho |
Unfortunately, that would not end the criminal cartels. And the stuff they're branching out into (protection money, kidnapping, agriculture &
fisheries, etc.) is much more harmful to the local populace than when they were completely focused on import-export of illegal product.
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lencho-very true
[Edited on 5-7-2025 by Tioloco]
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David K
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Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: Originally posted by surabi | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | | We sure are not "spying on Mexico" as the government there is not threatening war with us. We (apparently) are looking to find drug shipments heading
north, to SAVE lives. |
Entering another country's airspace without permission to do surveillance is indeed spying.
Guess you don't remember the outcry over Chinese balloons over the US, which they claimed were just weather balloons, but which many were convinced
were spy balloons.
Whether another country is threatening war has nothing to do with the definition of spying, nor does the alleged purpose of the surveillance.
[Edited on 5-6-2025 by surabi]
[Edited on 5-6-2025 by surabi] |
Do you know that the United States defends both Mexico and Canada should either neighbor be attacked or invaded? I think that arrangement would
include flying over their territory. Do you know if we didn't have Mexican permission? Very well could be secret so not to raise problems from
leftists in their country?
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surabi
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You're deflecting. That has nothing to do with your false statement that the definition of spying is not based upon whether a country has threatened
war or the reason for the surveillance.
And what makes you think only Mexican leftists would oppose another country flying over their airspace without clearance? Only leftists want their
borders and sovereignity respected? Sure doesn't seem to be the case in the US.
[Edited on 5-7-2025 by surabi]
[Edited on 5-7-2025 by surabi]
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Tioloco
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| Quote: Originally posted by surabi | | You're deflecting. That has nothing to do with your false statement that the definition of spying is not based upon whether a country has threatened
war or the reason for the surveillance. |
Sheinbaum is allowing Trump admin to do the surveillance. She knows he is right when he said she is afraid of the cartels. She has enough sense to
discreetly seek help.
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surabi
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And your source for this blather? You have zero idea what Sheinbaum is allowing, since no such thing has been made public, nor that "she knows Trump
is right". But presenting your fantasies as fact is your M.O.
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Tioloco
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| Quote: Originally posted by surabi | | And your source for this blather? You have zero idea what Sheinbaum is allowing, since no such thing has been made public, nor that "she knows Trump
is right". But presenting your fantasies as fact is your M.O. |
The fact that Trump is actively conducting military flyovers deep into Mexican territory without a peep from Sheinbaum is your first clue. US military
Aircraft transponders were left on for a reason. Trump also sent an American Special Forces group into Mexico to assist Mexican soldiers with
"training".
Your second clue would be clear if you researched the extent of cartel influence and corruption in the Mexican government. Sheinbaum is an easy target
and she is smart enough to know it. Trump said the quiet part out loud. Sorry it hurt your feelings. Get a clue.
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Lee
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| Quote: Originally posted by surabi | | And your source for this blather? You have zero idea what Sheinbaum is allowing, since no such thing has been made public, nor that "she knows Trump
is right". But presenting your fantasies as fact is your M.O. |
Secret dealings with the US prob won't be public. It's time MX goes high tech with what the US can offer. This isn't like invasion of Iraq.
Anything above 14,500k feet elevation in Baja is fair game for spying.
Pressure China who provides chemicals to MX labs for drug making.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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surabi
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The "war on drugs" is unwinnable. Wasn't that long ago that crack was the scourge, then it was meth, now it's fentanyl. Next year it'll be something
else.
Supply follows demand. It would be much smarter to put a lot more effort and $ into the root causes of drug addiction, which are not availability, but
abuse, mental illness, poverty, and lack of education.
No one does drugs simply because they are available. If they legalized heroin tomorrow, would there suddenly be a huge amount of people saying
"Awesome! I've always wanted to be a heroin addict. Nodding out in a urine soaked alleyway in the seediest part of town looks like such a cool
lifestyle."?
This is not to say that dangerous drugs and the ingredients to produce them shouldn't be seized whenever possible, but that isn't going to fix drug
addiction or keep drug addicts from dying of overdoses and poisonous substances.
[Edited on 5-7-2025 by surabi]
[Edited on 5-7-2025 by surabi]
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