Thursday, November 10, 2005
The Air Force Cleans House
The following is a letter sent by our new and forward-thinking Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The letter, titled "Lean Across The Air Force" basically stresses the point that we need to do things better, cheaper, and more efficiently than we have in the past because of our strained budget.
It's a great initiative that deserves respect and effort. I personally have several ideas as to how we can save millions, if not billions, in the Air Force. Since I have the ear of the SECAF and I know he reads this blog on a daily basis, let me share my suggestions with him.
Delay production of the JSF by 10 to 15 years. The system just isn't necessary yet. The money saved could be used for items much more important to the Air Force.
In the meantime, buy a hundred or so new F-16 Block 60s. One costs 1/6th the price of a single Joint Strike Fighter and can carry more weapons and fulfill more missions. Stealth isn't that necessary these days, and it limits your options.
Get rid of the F-117. Their intended mission expired 13 years ago, they're very limited in what they can carry, and the money spent on sustaining them can be applied to buy a few more F-22s, lots more F-16 Block Ds, or to the Joint Strike Fighter R&D.
Even better, some of the money saved can be applied to the already ongoing R&D to expand the roles and capabilities of our B-1 and B-52 Bomber fleets. They're proven systems, and cool gadgets and toys we want to put on them will make them even more valuable to our mission.
So Mr. Secretary, there's my contribution to your effort to make the Air Force leaner and meaner. It's a combination of cutting or delaying weapons systems that are limited and costly, and filling the gaps with less-expensive and improved versions of existing systems that have already proven their ability in the combat environment.
Since you're the kind of guy who has his ear to the ground, I'm confident you'll take my suggestions into consideration. If they ever come to fruition, I wouldn't need any recognition. Maybe a SECAF coin or a coupon to the BX, but that's about it. After all, besides making coffee and keeping up the snack bar that's what us Captains are here for.
posted by El Capitan at 12:08 PM
5 Comments:
said...
I love your ideas most make since. I have one more for you. Scratch the aging B-52 and replace it with the Boeing 747 bomber. It is cheaper, can carry more payload, and if we need parts for them at any time, you can find them at almost any major airport. Look it up it's a good deal.
3:21 PM
El Capitan said...
I laughed when I first read your comment about B-747 bombers, but then I looked and found that they actually were considered.
http://www.g2mil.com/bm747.htm
Not too shabby of an idea. Although the site claimed a 747 costs 10% of a B-2, after the Air Force touched it the price would surpass the stealth bomber. Why? Because we always screw things up that way.
Good idea though.
said...
With all of that money saved and those new F-16s, you'll have to add some more TACPs (the Army will love them) along with more combat training for them. And I'm sure a few more PJs and CCTs wouldn't hurt.
6:29 PM said...
I hope we still have A-10's. The boots on the ground need that CLOSE support.
1:35 AM said...
Anon, I hope we still have A-10s too, but the F-16 is the primary CAS platform of the USAF.
2:42 PM