Do you realize what you are saying? Is this something you want to be true, or do you just believe it because you read it?
Please pay attention to this:
The U.S. military has not lost a dogfight in combat between fighter aircraft in more than 30 years. Not one dogfight. Not one. Do you read me?
It is a habit among laypersons to assume the truth from what they read in the media without question. Do you believe that the U.S. would ever in a million years discuss, print or share the actual capabilities of our weaponry with anyone? Anywhere? I would bet my life, that there are not three FReepers who know and the ACTUAL abilities of the F-15 Eagle or it's weapons systems.
When exercises are performed with other nations, we don't show up to show what we can do. We show up to see what THEY can do. We don't show them jack, my friend. Why give them the bar to shoot for? All they need to know, is that the F-15 in combat has SMOKED every opposing aircraft that came within the range of it's radar. Period.
Any nation taking comfort in the results of exercises like the one described here, would be foolish. The Indians need to justify their expenditures just like we do. If that exercise gets them a few more MiGs, good for them. We want the F-22. If that means telling a few tall ones, so be it.
I'll tell you this much, not one of those Indian pilots believes today that they can take on an Eagle in combat, and expect to live long enough to see their families again.
Have you read Douglas MacGregor's latest book?
He laid out the number of air-to-air engagements in Korea, 'Nam, Desert Storm, Bosnia, and Afghanistan.
Basically, the number of air-to-air engagements has dropped precipitously the entire time.
You have completely allayed my fears that we might be getting a scosh too satisfied with ourselves.