Since we came out with the teen series, F-14,15,16 and F-18 we have swept the opposition from the skies in very unfair fights. I like our guys to be on the winning side of unfair fights. Bring on the Raptor!

Something else I think people are missing on is we’re basically upgrading old fighter/attack planes to stealth, which means they’re more survivable so “the best pilots in the world” are more likely to make it home to fly another mission.
Personally, I think they deserve the best tools available to accomplish the incredible tasks asked of them.

This

:clap: I agree completely

That's exactly why the DOD is stopping the production on the F-22. The F-15 hasn't been defeated in a dog fight and a 22 can take out as many 15's as they have missiles for. DOD is on record saying the F-22 will be the last manned fighter ever made. It already can operate far beyong what the human body can tolerate. There is no military in the world including our allies that could hang with the USA in conventional warfare. That type of fighting against America=Certain Epic FAIL! I didn't agree with doing it, but we smoked Iraqs conventional forces in three weeks! I think it might very well be the last conventional war we might fight other than enforcing a UN/NATO resolution. Lil Kim in NK and the Ayatollah in Iran would do well to look at Iraq and quit the chirping. As Dennis Miller put it Re. this situation"you really want a piece of this motherf**ker?"

Gates is being extremely smart with our military and what gets what funding. Right now our biggest foe is extremeist and guerilla warfare. Seriously when was the last time you heard of a US warplane being shot down? We have had air superiority in every conflict since Korea. In Vietnam we shot down 12 of there jets for everyone lost. Anymore than the 187 F-22's we currently have that can take out 8 F-15's in one engagement (that has never been defeated themselves in a dog fight) is a waste of resources. Our military needs to focus more on the troops on the ground, protecting them, and giving them the very best in offensive and defensive equipment. These are the guys that are fighting and dying. Gates has his priorities in check. I heard a story and several like it of our ground troops spending their own money to help fortify their Humvees. That is sad and inexcuseable. He is getting better armor for our boys and those new Humvees look like their on steroids. I have a tremendous amount of national pride when I see a F-22 or B-2, but nothing makes me prouder or as choked as an American to be in the airport and see a group of soldiers walking off the plane to a standing ovation from everybody in the joint. It's true emotion and gratitude. When you see one of these ladies or gentlemen out and about just walk up shake their hand, and just tell them thanks for their service. It's the least we can do for the baddest equipment in our arsenal :clap:.

One thing the F22 provides that no other plane delivers is super sonic flight without afterburners. This provides unparralled intercept capabilities and distance on a singe tank of fuel. If the US is going to continue to close bases the F22 becomes more important.

The biggest drawback on the F22 is it is primarily an air to air superiority aircraft. It is not designed for ground support so it is limited. So while the F22 has an important role it is not needed in as many numbers as the F15.

I agree with Gates the F35 fills more roles and deserves more funding.

That's right..I forgot it has "super cruise".

No shit, QFT.

That is exactly what I was thing. They are LONG over due for a beat down.

Great post!! :clap::clap: