Comments on: Defenseless

By: Tom Davis

Tom Davis — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:03:36 +0000

Voting to halt production of the F-22 stealth fighter plane was the right call. Of course, it is hard to not take delight in seeing defense contractors beaten back, but my reasoning goes beyond that.

First, as Sec. Gates noted and documented, the F-22 is a Cold War relic and hasn’t been used in any of the wars we’ve fought lately.

Second, it’s nice to see the Air Force’s shameful pork-strategy fall flat (it had spread the plane’s contracts to firms in 46 states in a cynical effort to “buy” Senators and Representatives).

Third, the leading voices for the F-22 were Chris Dodd, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein; hard not to root for them to fail.

Fourth, the next advanced fighter jet, the F-35, is in production next year; the money has already been appropriated.

Fourth, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including the Air Force chief of staff and the secretary of the Air Force, all supported the Senate’s decision.

Fifth, our nation’s defense budget is a zero-sum game, and every defense dollar spent on something not needed is a dollar unspent on what we need; no one made a case on why the F-22 is needed.

Sorry for being so didactic, but we take our fighter planes seriously in Beaufort.

By: CNSYD

CNSYD — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:05:24 +0000

Rick, who or what are you concerned with? All you will get from big nations is saber rattling. They know the US Navy can wipe them off the earth with our SLBMs. The battles we are currently in are not per se air battles.

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:20:10 +0000

Full rate production? 2011,2012,2013? F-35 still in development. Worn out main structure on F-15, 16 18′s in inventory. 2000+….how long and is there a gap in our air superiority umbrella? Shut down of a line, not to be reopened? Lots of questions not being addressed.

By: justsaynotojoe

justsaynotojoe — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:25:41 +0000

Here y’all go.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-35_Lightning_II

By: Look out, I'm next

Look out, I'm next — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:21:40 +0000

The defense secretary ( a GOP hold over mind you) didn’t want these planes either because they don’t fit they way they did years ago. Don’t worry, as I am sure another one is in the works or will be ordered. This is the type of partisan crap that gets people stirred w/o the all facts.

By: Billy Bob

Billy Bob — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:01:18 +0000

Of course, you failed to mention the Pentagon didn’t want it and would rather spend $$ on stuff they really need.

By: The Conservativist

The Conservativist — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:05:01 +0000

HammerheadSC, the F-35 Lightning II is the joint strike fighter that is designed to be the aircraft used across all branches.

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:56:12 +0000

How far out is full rate production on the F-35? What new weapons system didn’t have maintenance issues when first deployed? You are however correct on your statement that the services didn’t need more and were willing to cut production.

By: RedBank Bar

RedBank Bar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:55:10 +0000

It took the last post by Snead to state the obvious. The original article was typical FITZ, ignorance personified.

The F-22 bill was pure pork and had nothing to do with defense issues.

Go back to asking Mr. Rich what you should write about, FITZ, you’re lost without his direction.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:32:03 +0000

From The Economist: “The secretary of defence did not want to add to the programme. Nor did the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Nor did the Air Force’s two senior leaders. Yet 40 senators still thought they knew better.”
http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2009/07/quote_of_the_day_63.cfm

Personally, I’m willing to defer to our military leaders when it comes to knowing what they need to do the tasks they are given. That’s just my $.02