Like it or not ... one thing SecD Gates seems to be requiring these days is:
Accountability
Accountability
I guess that having a star role in "Transformers" and "Iron Man" qualifies as "active service" in the Air Force.
When they get that pig off the air show circuit and into the war, then talk to me about "active service".
^ I'll bet the Kiev and Zenit cameras were snappin' away like crazy onboard that Bear ...
So, an aircraft has to be actively participating in OIF/OEF to be considered on active service?
The F-22 is in service and doing exactly what it was designed to.
Man, that's hard to believe -- never heard of it. Sea of Japan low level "intercept", perhaps ??? The Med?? I didn't think a STOOF could stay w/ a BEAR.....My dad has has some pictures from his cruise in 1962 flying in formation with a Bear. They managed to pull that intercept off in a Grumman S-2 Tracker and their 2 mighty cyclone piston engines!!!
The Bear must have been going really slow, down low, because the Stoof is not exactly a speed demon. The Hoov had a hard enough time tanking off the KC-135 at 22K......250Knots....forgeddaboutit.Man, that's hard to believe -- never heard of it. Sea of Japan low level "intercept", perhaps ??? The Med?? I didn't think a STOOF could stay w/ a BEAR.
The STOOF's a major league PIG -- big time. Still a great ol' girl, however. I can't believe any self-respecting Rooskie BEAR crew would let one stay w/ 'em -- or even get close.The Bear must have been going really slow, down low, because the Stoof is not exactly a speed demon....
The Bear must have been going really slow, down low, because the Stoof is not exactly a speed demon.
And now, the rest of the story.
The F-22 is in service and doing exactly what it was designed to.
The Raptor is all ready in active service. Why would it "die" at this point?
P.S. There is talk that both Obama and McCain might keep Gates at the helm, probably wishful thinking by some but still interesting talk.
The F-22 is not useless. If deterrence value, present and future there is a need for at least some of them.