Comments on: The drone wars http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/ The unbearable lightness of Lex. Enjoy! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:54:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Justthisguy http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-106213 Justthisguy Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:28:12 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/#comment-106213 Oh yeah, I remember that gal and her story. The A-10 is kewl, and the AF had to be dragged kicking and screaming to buy it. I think the AF institutionally prefers to do things from way up high, a "You people all look like ants from up here" kind of attitude. I'm kinda that way, myself, but understand that ain't always the best way to do things. The A-10 folks get down enough I betcha they can smell what they've done. Oh yeah, I remember that gal and her story. The A-10 is kewl, and the AF had to be dragged kicking and screaming to buy it. I think the AF institutionally prefers to do things from way up high, a “You people all look like ants from up here” kind of attitude. I’m kinda that way, myself, but understand that ain’t always the best way to do things. The A-10 folks get down enough I betcha they can smell what they’ve done.

]]> By: badbob http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-411864 badbob Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:02:45 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/#comment-411864 SeniorD- You have not offended Sir. BTW, I hate to be in the awkward postion of defending the USAF, but I have pics of an A-10 piloted by a brave woman in the shock and awe phase of OIF, all shot up, that comes to mind when I think USAF CAS.... My apologies in order here- My acronym for SF in my comment meant Science Fiction re your point about Starship Troopers and not Special Forces! Sorry. re Naval Aviation- all your concerns are legit and I share 100% b2 SeniorD-

You have not offended Sir. BTW, I hate to be in the awkward postion of defending the USAF, but I have pics of an A-10 piloted by a brave woman in the shock and awe phase of OIF, all shot up, that comes to mind when I think USAF CAS….

My apologies in order here- My acronym for SF in my comment meant Science Fiction re your point about Starship Troopers and not Special Forces! Sorry.

re Naval Aviation- all your concerns are legit and I share 100%

b2

]]> By: SeniorD http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-411863 SeniorD Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:56:37 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/#comment-411863 BadBob, I'm certainly not denigrating S.F., my Brother-In-Law has 2 Silver Stars for Vietnam and Desert Storm service as a Green Beret. My Son-In-Law is also a former Army Intel officer who served with the Green Beanies. Now, ChickenHawk? Possibly and so, I humbly apologize. However, my B-I-L can recite chapter and verse at the USAF's ability to provide close air support (or immediate lack thereof). I honestly didn't know about the A-10's revival. I've always thought it is a super bird aptly designed for its mission. Again, I apologize for my error. The point of my post got lost in translation between my head and fingers. Until we lose the inter-service rivalry, Strategic/Tactical planning has to incorporate assets from all branches. UAVs, due to their remotely operated nature, are invaluable to tactical situations in that the commander on the ground can see what the enemy is doing. From a strategic or Theater perspective, satellites can provide some information and UAVs can as well. However, I would think (bearing in mind I'm just a simple Senior Chief) the value tilts more towards the tactical vice strategic. Who controls the tactical assets and how is the guy-on-the-ground get access to the feed? That is the question. Finally, the Battle Group Air War, specifically the Outer Air Battle, may be problematic to some. Yes, we have excellent aviators and outstanding aircraft to do the job of protecting the carrier. The Inner Air Battle and the Sub-Surface threat is far more of a concern to me. That, however, is a topic for later. Again, to any I have offended, please accept my humble apologies. BadBob,

I’m certainly not denigrating S.F., my Brother-In-Law has 2 Silver Stars for Vietnam and Desert Storm service as a Green Beret. My Son-In-Law is also a former Army Intel officer who served with the Green Beanies.

Now, ChickenHawk? Possibly and so, I humbly apologize. However, my B-I-L can recite chapter and verse at the USAF’s ability to provide close air support (or immediate lack thereof).

I honestly didn’t know about the A-10′s revival. I’ve always thought it is a super bird aptly designed for its mission. Again, I apologize for my error.

The point of my post got lost in translation between my head and fingers. Until we lose the inter-service rivalry, Strategic/Tactical planning has to incorporate assets from all branches. UAVs, due to their remotely operated nature, are invaluable to tactical situations in that the commander on the ground can see what the enemy is doing. From a strategic or Theater perspective, satellites can provide some information and UAVs can as well. However, I would think (bearing in mind I’m just a simple Senior Chief) the value tilts more towards the tactical vice strategic. Who controls the tactical assets and how is the guy-on-the-ground get access to the feed? That is the question.

Finally, the Battle Group Air War, specifically the Outer Air Battle, may be problematic to some. Yes, we have excellent aviators and outstanding aircraft to do the job of protecting the carrier. The Inner Air Battle and the Sub-Surface threat is far more of a concern to me. That, however, is a topic for later.

Again, to any I have offended, please accept my humble apologies.

]]> By: Justthisguy http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-411854 Justthisguy Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:49:50 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/#comment-411854 Oh, here's a more particular link: www.jerrypournelle.com/mail/mail480.html Scroll down to the red text; that's Jerry. I quote: "If we are to keep an independent Air Force it needs to know what its missions are, and get out of the way when it doesn't want a mission." Oh, here’s a more particular link: http://www.jerrypournelle.com/mail/mail480.html

Scroll down to the red text; that’s Jerry.

I quote: “If we are to keep an independent Air Force it needs to know what its missions are, and get out of the way when it doesn’t want a mission.”

]]> By: Justthisguy http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-106096 Justthisguy Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:04:50 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/#comment-106096 Oh, Dr. Jerry is a grumpy old deaf artilleryman, and has a son who's an officer in the USN, and he got his degrees back when they meant something. Yah, his SF is way kewl, too. (and also kinda grumpy) Oh, Dr. Jerry is a grumpy old deaf artilleryman, and has a son who’s an officer in the USN, and he got his degrees back when they meant something.

Yah, his SF is way kewl, too. (and also kinda grumpy)

]]> By: Justthisguy http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/comment-page-1/#comment-106095 Justthisguy Tue, 21 Aug 2007 06:46:13 +0000 http://www.neptunuslex.com/2007/08/20/the-drone-wars/#comment-106095 Jerry Pournelle wrote on his site today, I think, that there really is no need for an independent Air Force. He mentioned that the "Strategic" mission tends to denigrate, and shunt resources away from, the tactical air stuff that they'd rather not do anyway, and won't let the Army do, either. Have a look: www.jerrypournelle.com As cool and fun as it is to be an AF person, (Majors and higher get silver lightning bolts on their cap visors) as my Dad and all of his brothers were, I must rationally admit that they don't do enough for The Republic to be a separate service. Jerry Pournelle wrote on his site today, I think, that there really is no need for an independent Air Force.

He mentioned that the “Strategic” mission tends to denigrate, and shunt resources away from, the tactical air stuff that they’d rather not do anyway, and won’t let the Army do, either.

Have a look: http://www.jerrypournelle.com

As cool and fun as it is to be an AF person, (Majors and higher get silver lightning bolts on their cap visors) as my Dad and all of his brothers were, I must rationally admit that they don’t do enough for The Republic to be a separate service.

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