Backtalk: F-15 among problems carried into new year

[unhappycamper]

F-15 among problems carried into new year
By Robert F. Dorr

The flagship of the Air Force’s fighter fleet is grounded.

A top-priority rescue helicopter program that seemed temporarily bogged down a year ago is still bogged down a year later.

The Air Force’s top five equipment priorities (air refueling tanker, rescue helicopter, space satellites, F-35 Lightning II fighter and future bomber) all confront unexpected hurdles that have slowed or halted their progress.

A different party controls Congress than a year ago and seems bent on demonstrating that neither party can conduct the nation’s business with even a modicum of competence.

We’re devoting too few resources to Afghanistan, where the outcome of conflict is essential to our security, even while we persist in Iraq, where the result won’t affect us at all. A year ago we were fresh from an off-year congressional election in which Americans used the ballot box to say they want the war in Iraq to end. Polls show that the majority of us now want to cut our troop presence in Iraq, although we differ on how soon and how much. Meanwhile, al-Qaida, which never used to have a stake in Iraq, is thriving in Pakistan and in other countries nominally friendly to us.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_backtalk_f15_080107/



uhc comment: Dorr is a frequent contributor on the military rags. It's interesting he's calling the F-15 the "flagship of the Air Force’s fighter fleet". Meanwhile Air Force Secretary Wynne is calling for more F22s and F-35s.

FWIW, here's an interesting proposal from Dave Lindorff --> http://www.thiscantbehappening.net/?q=node/80