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To: SwinneySwitch

This would be repeating the mistake of the British when they consolidated all air forces under the RAF after WW1. It ended up with the Navy getting the short end of the stick. Would the new combined AF be as attentive to carrier operations and ground support? Or would they go off baying down the high tech trail while ignoring sea air control and support of the ground pounders? Would they dedicate pilots and funding to helicopters, or make the assumption that their supersonic fighters and stealth bombers will be ok?

Each service having their own air sections makes more sense to me. They can then specialize in their respective areas. The Marine flyboys make a fetish of close ground support and are considered the best in the world at it. The Army has made a science of helicopter operations and the Navy cannot be matched for getting air power anywhere there's enough water to float a carrier.

The nazis and soviets also had monolithic air forces that while were good, were not as good or as flexible as the 4 individual American air services. Look how poorly the nazis did naval support and how poorly the soviets did at trying to develop a carrier force. Both had some naval aircraft, but in virtually every case they were planes designed to operate from land bases and not as good as the American navy's planes.


13 posted on 04/28/2005 4:20:19 PM PDT by nuke rocketeer
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To: nuke rocketeer
The nazis and soviets also had monolithic air forces that while were good, were not as good or as flexible as the 4 individual American air services. Look how poorly the nazis did naval support and how poorly the soviets did at trying to develop a carrier force. Both had some naval aircraft, but in virtually every case they were planes designed to operate from land bases and not as good as the American navy's planes.

Actually athough the Soviets had "one Air Force" (Not quite true The Air Defense Force (PVO) which controled the Motherland defence Radars, interceptors, and SAMs was entirely separate from the AF), the actual airfroce had several autonomous components.
Long Range Aviation - strategic and theatre bombers
Frontal Aviation - air support to the ground forces (includes local Air to air)
Miltary Transport Aviation - they carry stuff
Naval Aviation = ASW, reconnisance, and strike
Army Aviation - helicopter lift anh attack
Border Guards Aviation

And the carrier force problems were down to shortage of money, and possinbly complications in designing/building the steam cat.

The actual Su-33, MiG 29K aircraft are as good as any designs anywhere.

62 posted on 04/28/2005 6:26:34 PM PDT by Oztrich Boy (When guns are outlawed, only cops will have guns.)
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