[datura]

Iraq and Afghanistan today have 12.5% of our military tied up. Just 12.5%. That doesn't sound to me as though we're stretched too thin. The Navy and Air Force are almost non-existent over there today, leaving them free to maneuver if necessary.

Besides, it is the Air Force and Navy which are the first used in any emergency or projection of power. The regular Army and Marines are long term assets. General Myers is an Army general - of course he's concerned about the long-term effects of this conflict on the Army.

[TSgt]

Excellent analysis and very true.

The world has not seen our arsenal.

[AGreatPer]

Also, we could pull out of Afganistan in a hick-up if necessary.

North Korea is the only real threat at this time. Simply because they have unstable leaders.

[zarf]

An friend just back from Iraq (he's was in the thick of the fighting in Sadr City with First Cav for well over a year and received a Purple Heart) has nothing but unkind words for the Army.

He said the organization is pussified and the officer corps he dealt with was unexceptional with the vast majority being a bunch of politically minded hacks.

He's glad he had the experiecnce, but he can't wait to get out.

[HerrKobes]

Actually, General Myers is an Air Force general. I remember back when he commanded US Space Command.

My amateur opinion says we'd be hard pressed to occupy another country with Army or Marines.

As for the Air Force and Navy: logistically we're working a lot harder than you think. On the other hand, we could launch some pretty massive strategic attacks using conventional weapons. Cruise missiles from ships and B-52s, as well as B-2s which can hit a dozen separate targets using 2000 lb JDAMs. For attacking dug-in forces in the field or enemy air bases, a single B-2 can drop 80 (that's right, eighty) 500 lb GPS guided bombs, each one with a CEP (Circular Error Probable) of 10 feet.

We couldn't stop genocide or fight house to house, but we could lay waste to a nation, its infrastructure and military.

Of course, rumor has it the USAF is going to cut flying hours by 40% following the BRAC announcement. We don't have enough cash to keep 'em flying and maintained at the same time.

As an anecdote, my last unit cut the large majority of funding for all TDYs. Only the most necessary TDYs were approved, but only after review by the Ops Group commander.

[Blue Scourge]

General Myers is an Army general

He's an Air Force general....

[Non-Sequitur]

Iraq and Afghanistan today have 12.5% of our military tied up. Just 12.5%.

But what percentage of combat ground forces?