pasternakski -> RE: THE THREAD!!! (7/15/2008 7:26:58 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: niceguy2005 I will, with great respect, have to disagree with my esteemed colleague from Florida...the primary mission of the Air Force is and should be, to control the air space over the battleground. This is less obvious in times when there is such a great disparity between sides...but ask the Third Reich what cost them the most in terms of winning the Western front...their answer would have to be their inability win the war in the air. Well, I will join in the genuflecting and supplicating and prostrating and defecating ... oops, lost my train of thought there for a sec, sorry ... but, you know, and express my heartfelt admiration for the hearts, minds, and analysis of the distinguished gentlemen who favor us with the favors of their favorable favors and comments on matters of moment such as these ... in a matter of moments ... Air superiority is only one aspect of an air force's responsibilities. You can't take and hold ground just by shooting down enemy airplanes. Now, if your air force is going to perform the tasks of air support, ground attack, and the rest of those missions groundpounders appreciate so much, fine. But give them the tools, training, and doctrine to make it possible. One of the glaring faults in U.S. military doctrine that has been revealed the hard way is that interservice rivalry still rules the day. Let's face it. They hate each other. They want nothing more than to upstage each other, particularly in the area where the rival service is supposed to be pre-eminent (witness the ad hoc development in Iraq of Army air units equipped with jury-rigged aircraft to perform the missions they have been "disappointed" that the Air Force has not carried out with the desired degree of effectiveness. The A-10 is an old weapon. It remains highly effective. Attack helicopters have shown limitations and vulnerability requiring thorough rethinking of their correct role (and design). Witness the decimation of the attack helicopter units during the Iraq invasion, and the losses that mounted so severely they have since been applied only sparingly and only in situations where they are not at great risk of loss. What is the substitute for the A-10? I don't think that either the Air Force or the Army have come up with suggestions for the design that ought to supersede it. The ground attack versions of the F-16 have only been of limited utility. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just ask the Marines who wholeheartedly lament the final retirement of the Iowa battleships and those comforting 16-inch rifles with that tremendous range for throwing a ton and a half of HE apiece at anything wants to kill Marines. quote:
If anything I think that the Air Forces role has evolved with a lot of the specialized close support missions being adopted by the army. Makes good sense - I would only add that somebody has to step up, grab everybody by the throat, and say, "Gentlemen, here is our doctrine. These are the weapons we need. If you disagree, stop by my office, and tell me why. And you better make it good, because if you don't persuade me, there's gonna be a big imprint of my boot right in the middle of your butt." Somebody's got to take charge and make some decisions. Politicians and politically-influenced military high brass need to find somebody trustworthy and trust him. Now, back to the Jackson 5 story, starring The Osmond Brothers...
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