From: "John Sukey", [EMAIL PROTECTED]
I agree the most effective place to destroy the enemies aircraft is
on the ground with cluster or precision munitions. The only catch
to that statement is the word "aircraft" Depending on the enemy to
have them on the ground is wishful thinking. In reference to Vietnam,
I would point out that Admirals don't pull many G's, and the lesson
learned there was that aircraft should have guns. It cost us a
number of pilots to learn that lesson. Iraq was an anomaly in that
the bad guy stupidly allowed us to assemble overwhelming force before
attacking without striking first. The quality of the Iraqi air force
pilots was to put it kindly, not up to world standards. To depend on
the next enemy to be as stupid will cost more lives.
Romanticising pilots? I suggest Mr. Spencer talk to pilots
rather than read books written by people who have never been in a
cockpit. I have dealt with far more of them than he will ever meet,
and the only place they are romantic is in the bedroom. I don't
think that any of them would agree that Red Flag should be cancelled
because missiles are so superior. Hard lessons had to be learned in
the first world war and they have been pounded in ,in every major war
thereafter. Technology does not substitute for dogfighting skill and
anyone refusing to learn that has not come back to write a book. The
decision not to arm the British Eurofighter with a gun is purely
political, taken by a government that seems intent on making its
military forces redundant. While I am certain Downing Street will
applaud his comments, I doubt that the RAF will appreciate being the
first and only air force to do without this supposedly archaic piece
of equipment. Please note that the Germans don't agree and no one has
ever accused them of being "Romantic". The only bright spot in this
mess is that the gun can be retrofitted, as the capability is there. I
would sum up by stating that those in this group are quite literate and
have also read books on strategy and tactics.
--
The main problem with Jonathan's argument is that you cannot destroy
aircraft on the ground if you're the one being attacked.
Pearl Harbour springs to mind.
Steve.
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