Posted on 05/04/2008 8:18:28 PM PDT by Dawnsblood
The war in Iraq has spawned a violent Shiite-Sunni showdown there and a rift between Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill — and now it’s heating up the long-simmering rivalry between the Army and the Air Force and their powerful patrons in Congress.
A showdown is brewing, as the Senate Armed Services Committee kicks off the annual defense appropriations cycle this week. The issue is money and the control of production and basing for the unmanned aerial vehicles that are becoming central to U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the subject of an increasingly heated tug of war between the military services.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates told future Air Force leaders last week it was “like pulling teeth” to get unmanned aerial vehicles into Iraq and Afghanistan. But criticism of the Pentagon’s use of UAVs extends well beyond the Air Force. All the services have flying drones that shoot video images and fire missiles, and the Pentagon has drawn flak from the Government Accountability Office for failing to coordinate the use or production of the aircraft or crafting a clear plan for their future deployment.
The looming congressional fight comes as each service tries to keep its own fleet of UAVs, as do members of Congress in whose districts the vehicles are manufactured and based. That tension is pushing the internal Pentagon tug of war into powerful circles on Capitol Hill. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) has taken up the Air Force’s cause; Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), the Army’s.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
What’s the point of having an Air Force? Every service flies. The Air Force is barely in military in their bearing. Wrap them into the army.
Let me go to Bragg and smoke a big j before I answer that one.
I was active duty Army many years ago, did 8 years Army Guard, and finished up my 20 with the Air Guard including a 4 month deployment to Kuwait.
The Air Force is seriously flawed. I don’t know if wrapping them back in with the army is the answer, but a good place to start would be requiring new AF enlisted recruits to go through Army basic to instill a little discipline. Another thing would be to take the highest ranking AF spec ops officer, pinning four stars on his collar, and putting him in charge of the AF. The pilot mafia is getting too comfortable and out of touch with the way modern warfare is conducted.
And another thing, this garbage with every service having their own special combat uniform has to stop! Forget about the added expense, lets think about fratricide people!
Who needs the army anyway. We can bomb all day and night from the air until there's nothing but a smoldering hole. \sarcasm
Send your “PILOTS” out to one of the Carriers so they can learn to become REAL AVIATORS first, then we’ll talk
I respect Navy Aviators immensly and believe a Nation without a Navy isn’t a nation for long. The mission of the USAF is Tactical and Strategic. The Army is force on the ground. The AF is taking care of our borders and first strike capability against our enemy’s. Strategic response to anihilate the enemy is only when time is of the essence.
I think the powers that be have it understood.
bttt
The training fits the job. I spent 11 months from day 1 in training and it was difficult. Some did six weeks and were moving on. I'm a slow learner I guess. :^)
Did he like the listening to the Village People? Had to ask. ;^)
They may not be STRAC, but that doesn't mean they are undisciplined. They just have a different mission and need to be different sorts of people.
The dude showed up with poodles and a buddy. I did not, repeat, did not hire him. My previous Army boss did. Damn.
For anyone confused, all branches of the Military were at the range. It’s silly villian time and it’s respected across the board. My boss was a Silver Star from Nam at the time.
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