Not that I'd enjoy serving in that capacity with the current resident, but fighter pilots like burning holes in the sky.
/johnny
photo of empty jet fighter cockpit in 3——2
Did anyone see the First Lady in a booth at the GOP convention. I sure as hell did. And I might add that the Secret Service is required to protect Romney just as much as the President.
After September 11, 2001 the USAF instituted a CONUS mission called NOBLE EAGLE - selected CAP over the states. While a nice PR effort it also used up just about all of the available airframe and engine hours for the F-16 fleet.
Good PR - Yes.
Effective use of assets - Questionable.
Expensive - Got that right!