F-22 Raptor

[calcapt]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

Any potential enemy that's even thinking about engaging us knows that we will gain complete control of the skies very very quickly. What does that mean? Most people will think long and hard before choosing to go to war with us. If they do, we will be able to bomb whatever the f*** we want at anytime at the strategic or tactical level. Our problem now is making sure we don't blow up too much (aka civilians and infrastructure).

Would we be able to have UAVs and AC-130's loitering over the skies all the freakin time without air superiority? Do you think the troops getting position reports from the skies appreciate our air superiority? What about the helo's...I guess they wouldn't care if they were getting shot at by stronger air defenses that we weren't able to topple because we chose to save money instead of replacing our 40 year old airplanes...

Don't forget airlift/airdrop. That doesn't work so well either when enemy fighters and SAMs are still all over the place.

Do we need the F-22 to maintain air supremacy? Maybe not today, but I sleep better knowing they're out there. But then again, maybe insurgents in the middle east are going to be the last enemies we ever face...

The key is protecting the 18 year olds on the ground with rifles, and the Raptor seems like it will be very effective in that role (I'm not talking CAS so don't freak out...you need air superiority to hope for effective CAS and that's where the Raptor comes in handy). The DoD may screw the pooch from time to time, but this is not one of those times.

Rant over...

Alrighty then, quit beating around the bush and tell me how you feel about this will you? On a side note, do you have any idea where I could get some reading material on the concept of air superiority? Sounds like fascinating stuff and something I would like to learn more about. Are you active or ex military? It appears you have a good handle on those strategic and tactical war planning skills. No

[SkyCougar]

Why am I not surprised that mhcasey is from Texas?

[FiveO]

I'm building one in my living room. I ordered the kit online. I'm also waiting on the shipping of my ICBM.

[calcapt]

Originally Posted by FiveO

I'm also waiting on the shipping of my ICBM.

Probably too much for UPS and FedEx since they canceled their A380s.

[FiveO]

Originally Posted by calcapt

Probably too much for UPS and FedEx since they canceled their A380s.

Ohhh bummer. That's why the woman on the phone wouldn't give me an answer as to where my package is. I paid a whole lot to insure it too. Thanks for the heads up.

[ASpilot2be]

Originally Posted by calcapt

Probably too much for UPS and FedEx since they canceled their A380s.

Well it is probably coming from Russia, so they could put it in the AN-225.

[calcapt]

Originally Posted by FiveO

Ohhh bummer. That's why the woman on the phone wouldn't give me an answer as to where my package is. I paid a whole lot to insure it too. Thanks for the heads up.

Might try Stan's Army Navy store just north of Miami if for some reason yours doesn't show up. I know Stan delivers free to Waco, Ruby Ridge and Havana. Don't know about your parts.....

BTW, I heard an alligator ate a guy running away from a robbery down there. If true, those K9 units of yours really handle business. Most departments use dogs you know.

[calcapt]

Originally Posted by ASpilot2be

Well it is probably coming from Russia, so they could put it in the AN-225.

Make sure you get all your parts. Those Russians like to play games and pull tricks like stealing the firing pins, or they sometimes turn the warhead upside down for giggles. Always the pranksters those drunken Ruskies are.

[ASpilot2be]

Originally Posted by calcapt

Make sure you get all your parts. Those Russians like to play games and pull tricks like stealing the firing pins, or they sometimes turn the warhead upside down for giggles. Always the pranksters those drunken Ruskies are.

To be expected. Just pay them in Vodka, and they wont touch your shipment.

[calcapt]

Originally Posted by ASpilot2be

To be expected. Just pay them in Vodka, and they wont touch your shipment.

That's why you're Old Skool and I am just a Senior Member. Note to self: To keep people from messing with my missile, give them vodka. Got it....

[Doug Taylor]

I could always change it to something embarassing! how about "Capn' Fantastic"?

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

Any potential enemy that's even thinking about engaging us knows that we will gain complete control of the skies very very quickly. What does that mean? Most people will think long and hard before choosing to go to war with us. If they do, we will be able to bomb whatever the f*** we want at anytime at the strategic or tactical level. Our problem now is making sure we don't blow up too much (aka civilians and infrastructure).

Would we be able to have UAVs and AC-130's loitering over the skies all the freakin time without air superiority? Do you think the troops getting position reports from the skies appreciate our air superiority? What about the helo's...I guess they wouldn't care if they were getting shot at by stronger air defenses that we weren't able to topple because we chose to save money instead of replacing our 40 year old airplanes...

Don't forget airlift/airdrop. That doesn't work so well either when enemy fighters and SAMs are still all over the place.

Do we need the F-22 to maintain air supremacy? Maybe not today, but I sleep better knowing they're out there. But then again, maybe insurgents in the middle east are going to be the last enemies we ever face...

The key is protecting the 18 year olds on the ground with rifles, and the Raptor seems like it will be very effective in that role (I'm not talking CAS so don't freak out...you need air superiority to hope for effective CAS and that's where the Raptor comes in handy). The DoD may screw the pooch from time to time, but this is not one of those times.

Rant over...

....America#### yea!!!

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by calcapt

Alrighty then, quit beating around the bush and tell me how you feel about this will you? On a side note, do you have any idea where I could get some reading material on the concept of air superiority? Sounds like fascinating stuff and something I would like to learn more about. Are you active or ex military? It appears you have a good handle on those strategic and tactical war planning skills. No

As a side note, the military terms the Raptor an "air dominance" fighter, which they claim far exceeds simply air superiority!

[Hacker15e]

I have fought against the Raptor, actually in the lead-up to their employment in Red Flag earlier this year.

They completely kicked our asses...and we knew where they were. Not even a contest. The first we knew they were coming to get us was the "15 miles, check blocks" call from the ground controller...followed shortly thereafter by the "Hoss 03, you're dead" call.

Very, very, VERY impressive piece of machinery. I'm all for it.

[mhcasey]

Originally Posted by calcapt

Alrighty then, quit beating around the bush and tell me how you feel about this will you? On a side note, do you have any idea where I could get some reading material on the concept of air superiority? Sounds like fascinating stuff and something I would like to learn more about. Are you active or ex military? It appears you have a good handle on those strategic and tactical war planning skills. No

If you can hook me up with a job at Continental I'll tell ya. PM me if you're actually interested and I'll get you a list of good reads. I'm aspiring military...if you can hook me up with a UPT slot I'll give you one of my kidneys and half my salary as a second lieutenant.

Originally Posted by SkyCougar

Why am I not surprised that mhcasey is from Texas?

Reading that post was one of the proudest moments of my life.

[SkyCougar]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

If you can hook me up with a job at Continental I'll tell ya. PM me if you're actually interested and I'll get you a list of good reads. I'm aspiring military...if you can hook me up with a UPT slot I'll give you one of my kidneys and half my salary as a second lieutenant.



Reading that post was one of the proudest moments of my life.

I bet that was one of the proudest moments of your life!!! And I'm sorry to say, that I bet the new processor that I'm a beta for, is bigger, better, and faster than Texas! But don't worry, some day, after you put down your shotguns, and take up brains, you might have the biggest, badass processor too! -Texas Style!

[calcapt]

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

As a side note, the military terms the Raptor an "air dominance" fighter, which they claim far exceeds simply air superiority!

There you have it! Not enough to be superior, one must dominate. As one who strives for mediocrity, these standards are out of my league. Thanks Admiral Max...Carry on.

[calcapt]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I could always change it to something embarassing! how about "Capn' Fantastic"?

Let's stay away from the reality spin for now. How about something less true like Capn' not-so-smart?

[calcapt]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

...if you can hook me up with a UPT slot I'll give you one of my kidneys and half my salary as a second lieutenant.

I'll do it. Keep the kidneys but I will require 75 percent of your salary. By doing that, you will see what it is like living on First Officers pay.

Originally Posted by mhcasey

Reading that post was one of the proudest moments of my life.

Texas is to other states as Lance Armstrong was to other riders.

[CapnJim]

Chuck Norris: Texas Ranger.

Need more be said?

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by CapnJim

Chuck Norris: Texas Ranger.

Need more be said?

George W. Bush: Texas governor, president of the United States, cluster####er of all.

Need more be said?

[CapnJim]

George Bush was just one of Chuck Norris' turds that escaped from the set of Walker, Texas Ranger. Being a Chuck Norris turd, it quickly realized that in order to forestall the revenge that Chuck Norris would almost certainly enact on him for escaping, he would need to enlist the help of the entire United States military for at least a semi-adequate protection. So far, he's been lucky, through there are many Texans who would like to see Dubya returned where he belongs.

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by CapnJim

George Bush was just one of Chuck Norris' turds that escaped from the set of Walker, Texas Ranger. Being a Chuck Norris turd, it quickly realized that in order to forestall the revenge that Chuck Norris would almost certainly enact on him for escaping, he would need to enlist the help of the entire United States military for at least a semi-adequate protection. So far, he's been lucky, through there are many Texans who would like to see Dubya returned where he belongs.

Connecticut?

[CapnJim]

That would be fine too.

I'm glad he was born there rather than Texas.

[jtrain609]

You sittin' reserve today Jimbo? Or you just...you know...hangin' out? We need to fly together sometime and go 'cause some trouble down in Mexico.