I know I'm venting, but the continued short sightedness of the Corps is killing us. To close VMFA-134 (or any reserve squadron) is such a complete waste. The average pilot hours for these squadrons is well over 2000 per pilot (or Tone's 5000+), most are Topgun or WTI grads (if not instructors) and their capabilities are still superior to any fleet squadron, even with older A Hornets. In the case of 134, they operate daily in support of active duty Marines for a third of the financial cost and are on tap to be the sole support for our predeployment training for Iraq (which right now is significantly gapped). Yet we will close them, continue to short change our deploying units and cut into our active squadrons training so they can support CAS every day. All the reserve squadrons have been begging to be utilized, OIF or UDP, it didn't matter. I still do not understand the lack of political will to tap into these valuable assets. What a waste.