California National Guard put fighter jet on alert in March 2020 for 'possible domestic mission'

civilwarbuff

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California National Guard put fighter jet on alert in March 2020 for 'possible domestic mission': report
California National Guard put fighter jet on alert in March 2020 for 'possible domestic mission': report
California National Guard members say a fighter jet was put on standby for a "possible domestic mission" last year, raising concerns that the military could be used to disperse protesters in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report.

Four National Guard sources spoke to the Los Angeles Times about the matter, revealing that commanders were concerned about resistance to stay-at-home orders or chaos due to panic-buying.

According to the sources, an F-15C fighter was put on alert, which raised concerns among Guard members that the jet could be used to "buzz" crowds -- a tactic often used in combat zones to disperse the enemy.

What the heck are these people thinking of?
Who would issue such an order?
Even better who in their right mind would even give consideration to obeying such an order?
 
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civilwarbuff

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In March of last year, California National Guard members awaited orders from Sacramento headquarters to make preparations for any civil unrest that might arise from the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The members expected directives to ready ground troops to help state and local authorities respond to disturbances triggered by resistance to stay-at-home rules or panic over empty store shelves.

But then came an unusual order: The air branch of the Guard was told to place an F-15C fighter jet on an alert status for a possible domestic mission, according to four Guard sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
California Guard members feared fighter jet would be ordered to frighten protesters
 
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eastcoast_bsc

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California National Guard put fighter jet on alert in March 2020 for 'possible domestic mission': report
California National Guard put fighter jet on alert in March 2020 for 'possible domestic mission': report
California National Guard members say a fighter jet was put on standby for a "possible domestic mission" last year, raising concerns that the military could be used to disperse protesters in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report.

Four National Guard sources spoke to the Los Angeles Times about the matter, revealing that commanders were concerned about resistance to stay-at-home orders or chaos due to panic-buying.

According to the sources, an F-15C fighter was put on alert, which raised concerns among Guard members that the jet could be used to "buzz" crowds -- a tactic often used in combat zones to disperse the enemy.

What the heck are these people thinking of?
Who would issue such an order?
Even better who in their right mind would even give consideration to obeying such an order?




So my first thought is what the bleep? So what is the Airforce going to drop napalm or White phosphorous on the civilian population? This cannot be constitutional.

I am not buying the article.
 
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civilwarbuff

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So my first thought is what the bleep? So what is the Airforce going to drop napalm or White phosphorous on the civilian population? This cannot be constitutional.

I am not buying the article.
I hope it is bogus. It is troubling if there are people in the NG that would unquestioningly accept such a blatantly illegal order. And who did the order originate with?......IMO only the governor has that authority......or POTUS but then the NG would have to be federalized.......
 
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Aldebaran

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So my first thought is what the bleep? So what is the Airforce going to drop napalm or White phosphorous on the civilian population? This cannot be constitutional.

I am not buying the article.

But the Constitution is a "living, breathing document" that has to keep up with the times, ya know! This is, after all, the 21st century and we can't be bound by the writings of people who lived and died over 200 years ago.
(This was written in sarcasm). :wave:
 
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grasping the after wind

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But the Constitution is a "living, breathing document" that has to keep up with the times, ya know! This is, after all, the 21st century and we can't be bound by the writings of people who lived and died over 200 years ago.
(This was written in sarcasm). :wave:

If only most people that would say that were being sarcastic.
 
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civilwarbuff

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uhmmm...that "buzzing the crowd" may work in a war zone, (you know, because of bombs and stuff that comes out of a jet) but in the US if a jet "buzzed the crowd" wouldn't most people just think "This is a pretty lame air show."? :scratch:
tulc(just a thought)
That would be assuming the people 'protesting' were actually smart enough to know the difference.....in which case they probably wouldn't be there 'protesting'.
 
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tulc

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That would be assuming the people 'protesting' were actually smart enough to know the difference.....in which case they probably wouldn't be there 'protesting'.
Well since they probably wouldn't be, you know, actually dropping bombs and stuff on the crowds, I'm not sure what anyone would be panicked about. To most Americans it's a just a jet flying over them. Frankly after decades of the Air and Water shows here in Chicago most people here would be more puzzled, not frightened, if a jet flew over them.
tulc(thinks helicopters would be more worrisome than a jet)
 
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civilwarbuff

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Well since they probably wouldn't be, you know, actually dropping bombs and stuff on the crowds, I'm not sure what anyone would be panicked about. To most Americans it's a just a jet flying over them. Frankly after decades of the Air and Water shows here in Chicago most people here would be more puzzled, not frightened, if a jet flew over them.
tulc(thinks helicopters would be more worrisome than a jet)
You do know what 'buzzing' is, right?
 
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tulc

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You do know what 'buzzing' is, right?
if the jet is low enough to "buzz a crowd" in Chicago it's going to be hitting a lot of buildings and such. So, again, I'm not sure how a jet was going to be much of a problem. No, I'd be much more concerned about helicopters and drones.
tulc(really hates Chicago's Air and Water show) :sorry:
 
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Arcangl86

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I hope it is bogus. It is troubling if there are people in the NG that would unquestioningly accept such a blatantly illegal order. And who did the order originate with?......IMO only the governor has that authority......or POTUS but then the NG would have to be federalized.......
What law would it violate if true?
 
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civilwarbuff

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What law would it violate if true?
The Posse Comitatus Act is a United States federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1385, original at 20 Stat. 152) signed on June 18, 1878, by President Rutherford B. Hayes which limits the powers of the federal government in the use of federal military personnel to enforce domestic policies within the United States. The Act was passed as an amendment to an army appropriation bill following the end of Reconstruction and was updated in 1956 and 1981.

The Act specifically applies only to the United States Army and, as amended in 1956, the United States Air Force. Although the Act does not explicitly mention the United States Navy or the United States Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy has prescribed regulations that are generally construed to give the Act force with respect to those services as well. The Act does not prevent the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard under state authority from acting in a law enforcement capacity within its home state or in an adjacent state if invited by that state's governor. The United States Coast Guard (under the Department of Homeland Security) and United States Space Force (under the Department of the Air Force) are not covered by the Act either, primarily because although both are armed services, they also have maritime and space law enforcement missions respectively......wiki
 
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Arcangl86

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The Posse Comitatus Act is a United States federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1385, original at 20 Stat. 152) signed on June 18, 1878, by President Rutherford B. Hayes which limits the powers of the federal government in the use of federal military personnel to enforce domestic policies within the United States. The Act was passed as an amendment to an army appropriation bill following the end of Reconstruction and was updated in 1956 and 1981.

The Act specifically applies only to the United States Army and, as amended in 1956, the United States Air Force. Although the Act does not explicitly mention the United States Navy or the United States Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy has prescribed regulations that are generally construed to give the Act force with respect to those services as well. The Act does not prevent the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard under state authority from acting in a law enforcement capacity within its home state or in an adjacent state if invited by that state's governor. The United States Coast Guard (under the Department of Homeland Security) and United States Space Force (under the Department of the Air Force) are not covered by the Act either, primarily because although both are armed services, they also have maritime and space law enforcement missions respectively......wiki
Posse Comitatus doesn't apply to National Guard units operating under state authority.
 
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civilwarbuff

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Posse Comitatus doesn't apply to National Guard units operating under state authority.
No, it doesn't but it does operate under the authority of the governor with whom, we would believe since he is the 'commander in chief', such an order would have to originate with........
 
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parousia70

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Arcangl86

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No, it doesn't but it does operate under the authority of the governor with whom, we would believe since he is the 'commander in chief', such an order would have to originate with........
Yes, the Governor is the Commander in Chief of the National Guard, unless they are called into federal service under Title 10. But that doesn't change the fact that Posse Comitatus doesn't apply to the National Guard under state control, which is what this deployment would have been. I still think it wouldn't have been a good idea, but unless there is something in the California Military and Veterans Code against it, it wouldn't have been illegal.
 
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civilwarbuff

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Since you know it doesn't apply to the situation, why on earth did you offer it up as an answer to the question "what law would it violate if true"?
Because not everyone is as smart as you are........
 
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Davy

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I hope it is bogus. It is troubling if there are people in the NG that would unquestioningly accept such a blatantly illegal order. And who did the order originate with?......IMO only the governor has that authority......or POTUS but then the NG would have to be federalized.......

A state's governor has the authority to call out such forces as the National Guard in state emergencies. Doesn't have to be Federalized.
 
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