The Air Force Chief-of-Staff has delivered to Congress the approved answer on why the F-22 Raptor did not see action in the opening days of the Libyan adventure – it was too far away:
Lockheed Martin Corp. F-22 fighters haven’t been used over Libya to attack air defenses or counter Libyan jets because they’re not based in the region, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz said.
“Had the F-22 been stationed in Europe, in proximity and therefore more available, it undoubtedly would have been used,” Schwartz told the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee today. Because the Libya operation “came together fairly rapidly, the judgment was made to apply the various resources we had in close proximity.”
“Came together fairly rapidly” is milspeak for “mad scramble”, by the way.
In case you had any lingering doubts.
Lex is on a roll…
Roger that, bdgerjmn, as the old sports saying goes: “He’s really feelin’ it today, isn’t he?” Or, alternatively he’s “in the zone” and/or the “groove.” (Although “in the groove”–besides being the title of an old Artie Shaw song–is also old LSO carrier-talk, right?
)
Snort.
Poquoson remains well protected.
GB, I have a feeling that the F-22s are slowly becoming like the German fleet in WW II–too valuable and too few to risk en mass in open battle..
you got the right feeling. They were designated for continental air defense only several years ago, even before the 0′Bummer closed the production line well short of target.
Everything about this situation (Libya) just makes me want to hold my head to keep it from exploding… or just cry. I keep saying that the only thing that could make it worse would be Americans dying. Other than that, I honestly can’t imagine how it could’ve been more poorly managed on every level from PR to international relations to planning to politics, etc, etc, etc…
Why not just say that Libya is the equivalent to Podunk KY and it wasn’t worth the cost or energy to to get them there.
I thought “Came together fairly rapidly” was a euphemism for “clusterf**k”.
as in “I love it when a plan comes together”
When the boss says “mad scramble” the barracks scene in the movie “Heartbreak Ridge” comes to mind – anyone else? Big Swede? I really hope that isn’t the reality.