AWACS .. THE 21st CENTURY VERSION OF "SHIP BUMPING"!

Today's announcement on the coverage of airborne assets to "monitor" events in the Ukraine may be news to some in the media, but the reality is this has mostly likely been taking place since the beginning of the crisis.

Having the ability to monitor what is flying into or around the Ukraine is one mission, but other assets have the ability to track other movements and it's these "other movements" that might be the most important.

JSTARS and other similar assets can paint a very accurate picture of what is moving on the ground and it's these ground movements  / locations / that are most likely the truly valued information.

As I have said before, in the detailed world of military planning, possible enemy courses of action, in this case Western actions, would have been mapped out by the Russian planners.

Did they anticipate the deployment of airborne ISR / Intelligence / assets?

I would be stunned and very disappointed if the answer was no!

If the Russians did anticipate the intelligence missions, could that account for the large scale anti air exercise they announced a few days ago?

My guess is that was at least a large part of the planning process.

By anticipating and airborne ISR operation a message can be sent that Ukrainian airspace is now closed with a Russian anti air "Exercise".

So, it a not so obvious way, the chest game of military maneuvering is increasing day by day.

By the way, AWACS and other like assets typically have "Defensive Patrols" escorting them.

Will this be the case this time around?

Hard to tell, but you can bet the Russians are "looking" towards the sky just as much as the West is.

In my opinion, the airspace over the Ukraine is all but officially closed and I would not be surprised to see the Russians officially declare such an status in the next few days.

In the early stages of this Chess game, this Air Defense Exercise and the AWACS deployment are identifiable signs of increasing tensions... now taking place at the tactical level, not just on the diplomatic front; and that is a event that should not go unnoticed or underestimated.

Oh... by the way... back when the Cold War was in it's Glory Days... yes that is how some them.....   It was a sign of rising tensions when a Soviet Ship and a Western Ship would "bump" or get close to bumping.    

Let's see if any good old fashion "Air Intercepts" take place anytime soon!