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To: PreciousLiberty
On the nuclear front, bombers are the only force that can be recalled if activated.

This is true, and has long been used as an argument for a bomber component of the force. However, what it fails to say is that the only time you'd want to recall the bombers is if they've been activated by a false alarm. Why activate them? Because they're vulnerable on the ground. It's essential to launch them, even for a possible false alarm, rather than have them destroyed on the ground by a genuine attack.

This is not to say that bombers are not an important component of the force. They are an important part. However, the arguments for them shouldn't be weak or false ones. Ability to recall is an implicit admission of the vulnerability of the bombers before launch.

14 posted on 04/01/2016 8:50:29 AM PDT by JoeFromSidney (,)
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To: JoeFromSidney

“Ability to recall is an implicit admission of the vulnerability of the bombers before launch.”

Land based ICBMs are just as vulnerable before launch, and unlike bombers can’t just orbit waiting for orders. Launching bombers isn’t the same as sending them towards targets.

One use of bombers is to launch them to show your opponent that things are about to go south. Being faced with actual arms on the way may be enough to force him to back down. Bombers are slow enough to give that opponent enough time to think things over...


15 posted on 04/01/2016 9:56:05 AM PDT by PreciousLiberty (Cruz or Trump '16! JUST NOT A DEM!!!)
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