Hey 46. . you've sparked some discussion with once again (all good!). .
I've erased four different speeches . so you'll have to catch me at the pub to get me involved.
Let's not blame the Marines for 300 or 200 billion dollars of aviation spending. Keep in mind how procurement works (like I'm an expert). We buy aircraft every year. In fact we bought our last brand new Harrier last year. Yes we have to keep buying aircraft to be mission capable in all the MAGTF does (sure we can change these priorities and missions as you've suggested--maybe that's the point. .but moving right along). As we all know, our tactical fixed wing (and medium lift, right?) aircraft are the oldest they've ever been. The JSF does current priorities better than what we have (weight, time on station). . sorta
Let's face it. . the JSF has probs. Can they work themselves out. .of course. This weight issue is gonna kick everyone's butt. Pushing things back . .what another year? (that's twice in less than a year) Is the FAC(a) mission single seat as effective as a hornet D or F bird? lots of questions. Is TACAIR integration a precursor to the eventual removal of non-MAGTF Marine aviation assets? Hmmmmmm. . . .
46 makes some good points to ensure we can do the things we need to do tomorrow, next month, or whenever (small guerilla insurgents aren't going away, right?). . but . .thinking more global. . I think we'd be hard pressed to find a MAGTF commander that would like to be involved with North Korea or China without fixed wing assets at his disposal.
