North Korea Will Listen, but Only to F-22s

American Enterprise Institute (AEI) for Public Policy Research ^ | November 29, 2010 | Michael Auslin, Resident Scholar at AEI

[rahbert]

Our credibility is on the line. If we let SK go, the bad actors of the world would conclude that we have lost our
balls.

That said, F22s are too precious to base at Osan. Keep them
in Japan or better yet, Guam. Make sure to spread them
evenly so that the island doesn’t tip over.

[BradtotheBone]

I’ve got a better idea. How about we PULL OUT ALL 37,000 American Troops from South Korea and let them pay for their own defense.

[bayouranger]

O_P_E

Are you sure? Check that again, will ya!

[LSUfan]

This is silly. The North couldn’t even detect F-22s, much less try to shoot them down.

[GonzoGOP]

I was trying to explain that Predators aren’t a weapon of first engagement, whereas a Raptor clearly is.

The Raptor is an offensive weapon. You don't send them in until you are intending to take the fight to the North Koreans or whoever else is the target of the day. Patrol flights are basically putting an aircraft out there to draw fire. You don't use your most valuable air superiority aircraft to provide your enemy with target practice. Predators aren't stealthy, but we have more of them than the Norks do first line SAMs. So you put them up there to keep an eye on what the other guy is doing. If they shoot one down, well at least you don't have to write a letter home to a robot's mom.

Also the F-22 isn't invisible. It is hard to spot on radar or IR, but it can be spotted if you know exactly what to look for. Given enough opportunities to observe it the Norks could figure out how to pick the F-22s reduced radar signature out of the clutter. And they would then pass that info on to the Chinese who I'm sure would be very happy to get it.

The F-22 is a fighting aircraft. It shouldn't be used for grand gestures, showing the flag or parades. It is for making the bad guys go bye bye. And the first time they know it is there should be when their plane blows up.

[oh8eleven]

If we let SK go, the bad actors of the world would conclude that we have lost our balls.
First - "we" don't let it go ... let SK fight for their own existence.
Second - with Americans fighting and dying in the ME for the last nine years, I don't see how any bad actors could ever come to that conclusion.
Even more so with Zero keeping us there.

[ArrogantBustard]

Take off all "Zig"!!!

For Great Justice!!!

[GonzoGOP]

This is silly. The North couldn’t even detect F-22s, much less try to shoot them down.

During daylight they are as vulnerable to the MK-I human eyeball as any other aircraft. And they are not invisible to radar, just very hard to see. Given enough chances the Norks could pick one up.

During exercises an Air Force F-22 got taken out by an EF-18. The ECM bird never got a radar lock, it was just that F-22 pilot got target fixated on killing another F-18. So the EMC bird just flew up his tail for a gun kill. And remember under existing ROE the war doesn't start till the North Koreans start shooting. When you have to give the other guy the first shot, make sure he is shooting at a drone.

[L,TOWM]

Our credibility is on the line. If we let SK go, the bad actors of the world would conclude that we have lost our balls.

You are not trying to assert that on a national command level, that our "balls" remain intact and easily located, are you? Those are long gone, FRiend.

[OldDeckHand]

'The Raptor is an offensive weapon."

Sure, let's stipulate everything you've said. But, we're having this discussion in the context of this thread - a thread with the title, "North Korea Will Listen, but Only to F-22s".

I believe the point the author is making - a point I'm neither endorsing nor refuting - is that a show of force is necessary. To that extent, the choice between a Raptor or a Predator is pretty stark - a Raptor projects force, a Predator doesn't - at least not until such a time when air defense capabilities are completely neutered and the US enjoys air dominance.

Put another way, a Predator projects force to goat herders in the Hindu Kush, and to terrorists in Range Rovers cruising Yemeni highways. But, the Predator project zero force to a conventional army that enjoys robust air defense capabilities.

Can they be an effective surveillance tool along the border? Sure. But they aren't sending any kind of message.

[gura]

"Goldie, how many times have I told you guys that I don't want no horsin' around on the airplane?"

[Thunder90]

Yeah, and make sure the Raptors have tactical nukes loaded and ready to bear.

[paul51]

Instead of the saddam model, we should employ the Muammar al-Gaddafi model that Reagan used

[paul51]

And remember under existing ROE the war doesn't start till the North Koreans start shooting

Didn't that already happen?

[Jet Jaguar]

Bump

[Cyber Liberty]

Maybe he thinks he’s Sarah Palin?

[thoolou]

Didn't that already happen?

Thank you. +10