quicksilver wrote:https://www.forbes.com/sites/davedeptula/2019/02/11/building-the-air-force-we-need/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ebb%202-13&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief#5993bf9f2b97
Read the article, he's 100% spot on. Gates' lack of leadership, foresight and understanding as to our own capabilities and threats badly missed the mark. He is directly responsible for jeopardizing US air to air capabilities, something we used to be able to always count on. You may argue we can still wrest control of the air. Perhaps, but at what cost? A LOT of F-15's and 16's are going to fall to the hand of ever more capable IADS, and the J-20/J-31 are going to be more than a match for them. Hell, their J-16 and J-10C are comparable and in fact excel in parts of the envelope vs. our prior hi/low mix.
The only thing that's going to restore our edge is pumping out more F-35's every year. Not F-15X's. Not up-rated F-16's. And certainly not Super Duper Hornets. Gates should have had his pension revoked, as his decisions will directly impact the lives of our pilots - and not for the better.
I'm sure he retired to some sunny climate, and plays golf every day with his buddies. His legacy is all but destroyed though, and his lack of leadership will hurt us for years to come...