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USAF budget crisis
Topic Started: Feb 19 2008, 04:33 AM (136 Views)
viper commander
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Here is the article:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080218/ap_on_...worn_out_by_war

I really hope this gets solved soon, or else I shudder to think what the consequences might be.
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apacolypse


Sadly...the gov't seems more interested in whether or not Baseball players were juiced up. Why spend money where it is needed....they like to waste it on B.S. like those hearings.
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Dominic Guglieme
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The key thing to keep in mind here is that the USAF is not as important as it used to be.

The USAF was created to provide air superiority against industrialized states, like the Soviet Union. The closest thing we have to an industrial foe now is China, and they are unlikely to attack us.

The USAF is known for curruption, with retired officers getting cushy consulting jobs in return for absurd procurment deals. Now, the USAF is trying to justify its latest extravagant purchases, such as the F22 (a plane that does nothing new nor especially well).

Body armor for infantry would be cheaper, and more cost effective. If the USAF stopped buying F22s (which they hesitate to use because we cannot afford to repair and replace them), and simply maintained their existing fleets, that would likely help balance its budget.

I would by more worried about job prospects, from lost pork barrell spending, than any real military loss.

Andrew Bacevich wrote a few fantastic books on the subject, "American Empire" and "The New American Militarism".

Dom
-notes the Army has its own internal Air Force that rivals that of most other countries.


Keep it local.


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apacolypse


I still think that the gov't is wasting money investigating frivalous things...like baseball steroid use.

With an imposing recession at hand...that money should be spent trying to fend that off. Personally...I don't care, nor does the public majority based on recent news polls, about baseball steroid use. We all know it is in every sport...even the Olympic games.

That money could be spent on the USAF...corruption there or not...I would at least feel better knowing that the funds were intended for something to benefit the public.
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Dominic Guglieme
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I agree that steroids are a minor issue that does not require the attention it gets.

But, if we are going to spend that kind of money, why waste it on the USAF? If we want pork-barrell spending, how about WPA style infrastructure projects? Or, we coudl research and develop the kinds of weapons we do need. (I am not against defense spending, but I am against wasteful defense spending.)

Dom
Keep it local.


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viper commander
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I think more needs to be don to unman our military, UAVs and things of that nature.
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Dominic Guglieme
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The problem with UAVs is that the technology is still in the early stages of development. UAVs can be used to scout. But, when it comes to clearing, or taking and holding, an area, we still need boots on the ground. We still need people to handle the fluid conditions of a battlefield.

What we need to do is buy better equipment for ground-troops, and to spend less money on mercenaries, and more on bringing in actual soldiers. (Think about it this way, how much of an incentive does a mercenary have to prolong the fight he is paid to be part of?)

Dom
Keep it local.


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viper commander
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I agree with you there Dom, I also think the money paid to mercs can be better spent on providing for the families of our troops back home and retaining our more experienced officers so they don't become mercs to get better pay.

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apacolypse


I agree....more money needs to end up being spent to benefit the gentlemen on the front line. Alot less needs to be spent on Mercs.

Honestly...how can one justify the wages paid to a enlisted man...versus a Merc? Where is the motivation there?

Also...the enlisted man is subject to alot more regulations of combat versus the merc. One I know off hand...is...the enlisted man cannot initiate combat unless directed to do so from a superior officer. Mercs....seem to get a free pass.

Back on to the USAF topic...is it just coincidence that this is in the news...and at the same time, Dogfights on the History Channel is getting some Prime Time airing?
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Dominic Guglieme
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I like how the USAF is trying to buy new planes, when it cannot seem to maintain the ones it has. We lost a bomber over the weekend. And, I will bet that it crashed owing to fatigued crew, and not being maintained correctly. (The USAF cannot afford that kind of thing.)


Dom
Keep it local.


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