did someone say dogfight?
Posted on 08/19/2007 7:31:22 PM PDT by MCH
My guess is the "thank you for filing your flight access request. We will get back to you within a 48-72 hour period and make certain that there are no air assets" scenario would be a very real danger. The tactical needs of ground force protection vs. the typically more strategic needs of the AF are very different. Giving the AF control over organic Army/Navy/USMC ISR assets would be kind of like being told you can't have a gun to protect your own home, and being given a phone instead to call the police if you're in danger.
I agree completely. This is an issue that if not handled correctly could cost the lives of our military personnel.
I thought you stated it well.
This is ridiculous red-tape beauracracy. I understand the necessity of coordination, but to be effective decisions need to be made an acted upon instantaneously. Isn’t this the information age?
You are very correct, sir. With the exception of Strategic Air Command (SAC) the role of the Air Force is to support the Army Grunt or Marine on the ground. Those pilots should be United States Army Pilots. SAC has a different mission and should be separate. If it is in support of the man on the ground it should be Army.
I think I am "gonna get" flamed.
Would someone at the right pay level in the JCS put an end to this inter-service turf war while we are at a time of war? This will cost lives.
Marines would prefer it to be Marine aviation for Marine Corps grunts.
did someone say dogfight?
If we had general leadership worth a damn, they could go in a room and work this out where it would be the cheapest for the tax payer and the greatest benefit to the military. But no they want to act like a bunch of teenage punks having a turf war.
While the procurement officers are busy spending $950,750.00 shipping on a couple of ten cent washers.
SAC was carved up in 1992. It doesn’t exist anymore...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Air_Command
I agree with everything else you said. The Air Force needs to concentrate on high altitude and space missions, not be playing around near the ground.
SAC has not existed since 1992 when the Air Force command structure was re-organized.
I agree with you and I don’t think you two disagree with each other.
This is more analagous to “States Rights” vs. Federalism...and you two are both for States Rights (figuratively speaking)
Throughout the Marine Corps history where they have had their own air assets, they have had to fight to keep their organic airpower assets their own, not to mention their entire service.
As recently as the first Gulf War, the Air Force was trying to suck up the Marine Corps air assets and use them for general use in the air campaign, and General Schwartzkoff, to his credit said something like “Quit screwing with the Marines...”
don’t we already have a “space command”?
Of that I am aware, and that was another error of the Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Command.
Given the Air Force track record of support to the Army, the Army has every right to call the ball on this unadulterated grab for dollars and power.
They are living up to their new motto: “We won’t fight and you can’t make us” The USAF has a real problem trying to convince soldiers and Marines who have been fighting their guts out for the past 4 years that they are still a part of the Armed Forces. This remark does not apply to the Air Force enlisted combat air controllers and security police who are fighting side by side with their smelly Army and Marine brethern - only the perfumed princes wearing wing who populate the POAC.
Yup. I'm not sure what NASA is for.
(Actually, my theory is that we want to maintain a talent pool - or a global "honey pot" - for geniuses who build rockets, nukes, or anything for money. If NASA doesn't employ them, then China will.)
The scarf wearing prima donnas in the Chair Force can FOAD.
Criticism bears the burden of actually being substantive, lest we fall prey to, "Some think it's not been done very well plus there have been many complaints! (Yeah, well, so what if they were all mine, he he?)".
HF
That’s part of the CIC’s job : bash general’s heads together. Patton had no problem doing that.
Those Air Force pilots will take on any mission they are ordered to do. The problem is not the pilots. They will put their butts on the line any time asked. The problem is up the line and inter service rivalry.
We need a solid top command under Army generals. When soldiers call for fire or any other support, they should get that.
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