The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Opinion

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
February 24, 2008

Aging Air Force fleet must be modernized quickly

If you had a car that was 50 years old, even 20 years old you would have a classic.

It would be a classic you would baby, not drive all the time. You would take care of it.

Now, imagine you are the Air Force.

What would you call a 50-year-old plane, or even a 20-year-old plane? Well, our Air Force calls them front-line aircraft.

They are out there in Iraq, in Afghanistan and elsewhere flying missions every day.

All of that work is necessary to perform the tasks required in the wars in those two countries. And, that doesn’t include the myriad of other tasks Air Force planes must do.

But, all of that work comes at a price.

Frankly, the planes are wearing out.

The problem was highlighted in a big way in November when an F-15 with 5,000 flying hours came apart in midair during a routine training flight over Missouri.

Following the accident, more than 400 F-15s were grounded until they could be inspected and deemed safe to return to the skies.

Now, the Air Force says it needs another $20 billion a year for five years to help fix its problems with its aircraft.

That is the big issue. All of the military services say they need more money, as equipment gets worn out from constant use.

One problem for the Air Force is the airplanes designed to replace the F-15 and the F16, which are more than 20 years old and are the workhorses of the service’s offensive capabilities, are costly. The technology needed to make these new planes — the F-22 and F-35 — superior to anything else in the world is expensive.

There obviously are going to have to be some compromises made. But, something needs to be done.

Money needs to be found, and the Air Force may have to rethink the number and types of planes it needs.

One thing, though, must be remembered.

Our Air Force cannot be allowed to deteriorate to the point it no longer is the dominate power in the skies.

Text Only
Opinion
Featured Ads
AP Video
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9 Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House' Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo. Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
NDN Video
Houston to host ASG Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme Has Iceland’s Nessie shown itself? Androgynous Model Walks Runway As Man and Woman Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9 Teach me how to "Beat LA" Beyonce Is Sexy in Sequins "Fat" Adele To Set Fire To Grammy Stage Zip-Lining Man Slams Into Tree The NY Giants Defend Gisele Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo. Model's Shocking 20-Inch Waist Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue Maria Menounos in Giants Bikini After Losing Bet TLC's 'Strangest Addictions Yet'? Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Snooki Admits She's Bisexual No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Katharine McPhee Strips Down Raw Video: 15 Lb. Baby Born in China
Seasonal Content
House Ads