Posted on 06/17/2016 6:41:26 PM PDT by Kaslin
As the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter project continues to lag down the road of extravagant spending, the U.S. Marine Corps has decided to reach back for technology from the early 80's to get the job done against ISIS.
Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers flew on Thursday from aboard the USS Boxer in the Persian Gulf to provide what Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, called simultaneous strikes with combat planes flying off the USS Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean. The Truman aircraft carrier strike group had been flying combat missions over Iraq and Syria from the Gulf, prior to moving into the Mediterranean about two weeks ago.
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) AV-8B Harrier is known for its quick maneuverability in and out of strikes as it provides close support to combat Marines. The project that eventually led to the AV-8B's creation started in the early 1970s and was complete in 1981.
This is not the first time that the U.S. military has had to reach back in its inventory to get the job done.
In April of this year, the B-52 bomber made its first combat deployment to the Mideast since the 1991 Gulf War.
Watch the famous vertical take-off of the Harrier (Volume Warning):
Peace time infantry, a never ending boot camp.
Can you tell I don’t like Tom Cruise?
Those things had incredible performance for a single engine prop designed at the end of WWII. They could carry the same bomb load as a B-17.
Just a fan, but I read that radial engine could lose cylinders lose all its oil and still get the pilot home. 8 x .50cal martyrmakers ;)
I thought at first your description meant your buddy’s Harrier was taking ground fire but on second reading, what I get is that he was able to lob some ordnance in a way not quite like any other fixed-wing aircraft.
They were all the rage for the Brits in the Falkands.
In 1982.
You do know this is a symptom of OCD, don’t you? Like after the first 200 “barfs,” did up you try to stop and couldn’t?
The American military is outstanding at scavenging and cannibalizing to complete the mission.
I doesn’t need a rocket in it’s butt to put one up Mohammed’s ;)
Tom Cruise always deserves more vomit.
I did not know that so I looked it up. Amazing.
Sadly, my husband in his flight gear, USAF, 121st ANG, 1968, Kunsan Korea, rescue of the USS Pueblo (NOT) was the spitting image and model for Tom Cruise. So I am extremely conflicted. LOL.
Oh come on & tell us how you really feel!
Active Duty ping.
It would be awesome to read Hartmann's Kriegsfliegerbuch in the original German, and Rudel's as well, the Stuka pilot with the 37 MM PAK (antitank) cannon under each wing + a 500 pounder on the centerline.
From everything I've read over the years about Hartmann, the figure of 352 enemy destroyed is the agreed upon figure by every source, using BF-109.
Even though he was an enemy, such skill must be acknowledged and honored.
While most will probably agree with the sentiment of your post, your creativity and presentation could use some work.
The expenditures on welfare from government to do all the things they're not meant to do far outstrips the expenditures the Constitution spells out right away, the national defence.
It's just a matter of when this fake crap government goes bankrupt is over due to stuff like reality and facts, not if.
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