OV-10 Broncos brought out of retirement to fight ISIS.....

[35 AoA]

I'm not of the opinion that we should simply gut our aviation (and general hardware) force simply because we are currently fighting "goat **ers". I think the argument of the pros and cons of my opinion as well as those who don't agree has been beaten to death so I will keep my feet of that soapbox. However, what I do think is great about this concept is that it can alleviate some of the load placed on those "100 million dollar fighters" (I'd argue most aren't much more than half that, but still very expensive). The problem on the USN side at least, is that we have been needlessly flying the wings off what were pretty new jets 10 years ago. You absolutely do not need a high lot 60 million dollar Super Hornet to put weapons on target. Without getting into details there are a lot of better things out there for this low intensity/low threat mission, to include things like the OV-10. We need to preserve our high value assets for the war that we need them for. That part we have been horrible about since 2001.

 

[mscard88]

I'm not of the opinion that we should simply gut our aviation (and general hardware) force simply because we are currently fighting "goat **ers"..

Well the Military-Industrial complex doesn't care what you think! War = profits.

 

[Mutts]

I still favor a few nukes and end this idiocy. Either fight to win or get out.

 

[James331]

I still favor a few nukes and end this idiocy. Either fight to win or get out.

lol, you really think this "war" is about "winning" or it even can be won, I know you're not that naive

 

[Mutts]

lol, you really think this "war" is about "winning" or it even can be won, I know you're not that naive

I think our "smart" bombs were never that smart. We did better when we fire bombed Dresden. Sherman was right, and summarily forgotten after WWII for some reason. Total war works. Management of "human caused disasters" doesn't. Or whatever the geniuses are calling it these days. History is writing itself without me, I've consigned myself to spectator with a vote that never works.

 

[mscard88]

Hey what about the old A-37 attack jet? I'm sure the Air Force thought about it. Was used in 'Nam by us I think and then given to S. Vietnam AF. A few other countries too.

 

[Shepherd]

Hey what about the old A-37 attack jet? I'm sure the Air Force thought about it. Was used in 'Nam by us I think and then given to S. Vietnam AF. A few other countries too.

The Tweety Bird! Fun to fly, but kind of a light weight in the fight game.

 

[Velocity173]

Dragonfly...same, same.

 

[Dav8or]

Best weapon against these people is to just take away their ammunition, and by that I mean leave the Middle East alone, this kinda takes the wind out of their causes sails, it's not the most profitable option, but it's the safest for everyone and allows the public to not have to watch their dollars further wasted and devalued.

Let's say you somehow did take out ISIS, which is impossible because they are a religious nut job cause not a army, well you're just going to have another group fill the vacuum left by ISIS and rinse and repeat.

Military industrial complex profiteering on both sides IMHO.

I say take the OV10s and put them on wild land fire duty, it will save more American lives having them fight fires then fight some dude with a poorly maintained rifle and a busted up pickup half a world away.

Thank you!!! We really need more people thinking like this. I have been vocalizing for awhile now that we need to adopt a get out, stay out strategy for the Middle East, but it mostly falls on deaf ears. Americans now just aren't satisfied unless they are bombing and killing somebody somewhere in a hopeless attempt to relive some version of a WWII victory.

As to the Bronco over ISIS- it's all awesome sauce efficiency until one of them gets shot down and the two crew members die. Then it will be all about "Who's idea was it to put two of our gallant service personnel's lives at risk in a 50 year old obsolete airplane just to save some money??!!!" in the news. I do believe that ISIS could get their hands on the tech to take these out.

 

[mscard88]

As to the Bronco over ISIS- it's all awesome sauce efficiency until one of them gets shot down and the two crew members die. Then it will be all about "Who's idea was it to put two of our gallant service personnel's lives at risk in a 50 year old obsolete airplane just to save some money??!!!" in the news. I do believe that ISIS could get their hands on the tech to take these out.

Something to consider unless they just fly it with a pilot only. But then it still will be in the news.

 

[mscard88]

The Tweety Bird! Fun to fly, but kind of a light weight in the fight game.

Agree but didn't it have a different power plant than Tweety?

 

[Velocity173]

Agree but didn't it have a different power plant than Tweety?

Yep. Twice as much thrust and beefed up for the military O/A role. At least one flying on the air show circuit with an L-29.

 

[JohnAJohnson]

I don't think the concept of aircraft allocation between services existed when the Constitution was drafted. But I could be wrong.

That is true, but they did understand the concept of ships. Even though I am retired Air Force, I believe in the Army/Navy concept, with the Navy operating ships through water or air, delivering munitions and hauling cargo same as they do today with water vessels. The Army on the other hand, should occupy an enemy's home turf, just to drive the point home that we won.