[Vision2020] If you didn't make it to Seafair in Seattle...

[Mike Deleve]

The fact that every demonstration aircraft can be "battle ready" in a matter of hours should be of comfort to all of those who might think these are purpose built aircraft. I also know that the T-birds drill on this periodically (battle conversion, paint and all). 
As far as sending these pilots overseas, I would much rather have them stationed here, to be ready to protect and defend the U.S.A. (I refuse to say "homeland). There is no need for them in the current theaters, as there is no air war. A minimal deployment is all that is needed while we get our troops the hell out of "the sandbox".
Being that our military is all volunteer as you correctly state (excepting the stop-lossed troops), you have it backwards! The military has to grab the attention of possible recruits somehow, and this method has always been effective (it worked on me).
Finally, thanks for posting the pics Kai, although I usually disagree with you on just about everything, we stand on the same side of the fence this time. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Wayne Price 
  To: Mike Deleve 
  Cc: Bill London ; Kai Eiselein ; vision2020 at moscow.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 2:21 PM
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] If you didn't make it to Seafair in Seattle...


  Mike,


  I agree with you that they are the best of the best, especially based on the amount of air-time they get.  Now, I think the best of the best should be where we need them, on the front lines, not on a PR tour.
  They're not selling war-bonds to pay for the debacles we're in.
  And as far as recruiting goes, it's an ALL VOLUNTEER military, and we shouldn't be spending anything on recruiting.


  I also agree with you about the "grey haired miltary veteran piloting the Boeings that I travel on." But until the services really get their heads out of their collective bottoms, we keep loosing those folks.  I worked for and was decorated by a Naval Reserve Rear Admiral that was forced into retirement at age 60, and we would have followed him to hell and back. When he left the navy because he was too old, he went back to Delta Airlines where he is the
  command pilot / training pilot for their 767 fleet.












  On Aug 4, 2009, at 2:08 PM, Mike Deleve wrote:



    Well Bill, As far as the cost goes, I don't care. There is this thing called morale. It's an intangible thing, but extremely important to the Armed Services as well as the safety of our nation. I grew up in the Air Force. We all looked forward to the Thunderbirds show when the rotation of their schedule brought them to our current airbase.
    The demonstration teams for all of the different services are "the best of the best of the best". These pilot slots are highly prized and sought after, and rightly so. As I'm sure anyone with any common sense can figure out, the training would go on without airshows, and does 24/7 for all of the branches.
    Another aspect of the shows is for recruitment. Yes, I know, we shouldn't be recruiting anybody because the military is "evil". I disagree, particularly when it comes to pilots. I personally prefer to have a grey haired miltary veteran piloting the Boeings that I travel on.
    The aircraft themselves cost $21 million each. I'll let you find the rest of your answers yourself.

    http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/

      ----- Original Message -----
      From: Bill London
      To: Kai Eiselein ; vision2020 at moscow.com
      Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 1:04 PM
      Subject: Re: [Vision2020] If you didn't make it to Seafair in Seattle...


      Does anyone know the total cost of this Blue Angels show?
      costs:
      fuel
      training for pilots
      planes
      maintenence

      At a time when real social services are cut, why is the US spending money for this show?
      BL
        ----- Original Message -----
        From: Kai Eiselein
        To: vision2020 at moscow.com
        Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 12:41 PM
        Subject: [Vision2020] If you didn't make it to Seafair in Seattle...


        I bring to you...the "Blue Angels"



        <02-b-web.jpg><03-web.jpg><08-web.jpg><04-web.jpg>

        Kai Eiselein
        Editor, Latah Eagle



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