did General Ham really say that he thought that
F16s would not be useful?
Last week, Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wondered why no U.S. military assets were ordered into action the moment it became clear the consulate was under serious attack.
“Did you ever suggest that we deploy any military asset quicker than 24 hours?” he asked Army General Carter Ham, chief of U.S. Africa Command.
“I did not,” Ham responded. “I considered, but did not request, the deployment of fighter aircraft.”
Countered Graham: “Did anybody ever ask you, `General Ham, what do we have to get to the aid of these folks quickly?’ Did anyone ever suggest that we use an F-15 or F-16 to buzz the compound once the ambassador was found missing?”
“Not to my knowledge, sir,” Ham responded.