I wasn’t comparing. Just replying to Bonkeys post.

That's likely to change quite soon.

Some inaccuracies in the Ward Carroll video from retired USN & US Army guys.

The C-130J line is not closed and any new or in-use C-130J could be turned into replacement HC-130J and/or MC-130J at a maintenance depot given a lot of time & $ but the USAF does have significant numbers of each so probably not necessary.

If indeed the recovered WSO is a full colonel (US O-6), it isn't the 48th FW Commander - that is an O-7 post. The 2 x aircrew rated O-6s in 48th FW are the Deputy Wing CC and the OG CC. It might be the rank colonel was used in the POTUS announcement but actually meant lt col (O-5) which could be the sqn CC or DO.

https://www.lakenheath.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/

I was presuming it was one of the Sqn execs as it is a deployment to operate out of a Gulf FOB and the wing execs were unlikely to deploy with them.

Surely the costs will just be deducted from the rescued WSO's pay. As long as he serves for another few tens of thousands of years, it shouldn't have to cost the taxpayer anything :E

.................... knows the price of everything and the value of nothing ...................

I think the more relevant question might be: What is the benefit to the moral of the troops to know the extent that the higher ups would go to implementing the rescue of a downed airman.

Indeed; speaking as a US taxpayer, there is also a morale boost to the citizenry. After experiencing the immeasurable costs of four years that included US astronauts stranded in space for months; a chinese "weather balloon" allowed to drift unopposed across our country; or the taliban handed the keys to $85B worth of our equipment while killing our soldiers - this bold, direct action to rescue one of ours is a refreshing change and I am grateful for it. Prayers for those serving and for a quick end to the hostilities.

Do you have a source for that?

Granted, the blades could be folded, but isn't the rotor mast height too great to fit in the C-295's hold?

Is this defensive nature you allude to enshrined somewhere such as other nation have chosen to do? Japanese Constitution, article 9 comes to mind, though it seems that is in flux.

You know the answer. I just said that the US and UK have fundamentally different systems of government and defence. Comparisons are futile. I’m sure we are both very happy about that.

You've been pilloried a bit. It's quite amusing. Are you an Accountant? If so you're probably on the wrong forum.

But the loss of several aircraft to recover a mere couple of airmen is considered a good exchange.

Because we in this part of the world we value life over matériel. Note spelling.

so, do you think they were at a real risk of being killed, or being paraded ala Gary Powers style? Certainly no orange suite or Saddam treatment I would say. But, that’s my opinion.

The answer is the opposite of what you’re trying to push. The UK armed forces are structured and equipped to participate in offensive operations, just on a smaller scale than the US.

I would worry more about the treatment by captors who were on the receiving end of what the F15 dropped.

Maybe, I went to Oshkosh 2016. I met the Blackhawk pilot who was captured in Somalia, whose name escapes me. He told us of his experiences. Being Oshkosh you could talk to him directly and I did. I told him how I believed he was a dead man when I saw him on TV. And my relief when he was released. It was quite emotional for me.

I'm not American and no fan of the current regime. I should point out I am a pilot so obviously I favour pilots.

Watching a pilot humiliated is not for me.

Amazing how we search for things to argue about, to no end really.

CW4 Mike Durant was the Super 6-4 pilot, the copilot was CW4 Ray Frank the co-pilot, and crew chiefs SSG Tommy Field and SSG Bill Cleveland. Mike was the only survivor of the impact. Gary Gordon and Randy Shugart were the delta operators that dropped in with Super 6-2 (which was also hit by an RPG shortly afterwards) to secure the wreck and the survivor. Sadly a well deserved MoH to both in a peace keeping operation.

Super 6-1 was commanded by CW3 Cliff "Elvis" Wolcott and CW3 Donovan "Bull" Briley as co-pilot, both killed on the impact. SSG Daniel Busch and SGT Jim Smith were the snipers on board, and survived the crash, defending their own aircraft, Smith wrote the eye witness statement of Daniel Busch's silver star awarded posthumously, Busch succumbing to multiple gunshot wounds received in the defence of the aircraft and the survivors.

CMOHS Randy Shugart
CMOS Gary Gordon
VA narrative Daniel Busch

Nine (9) AAR platforms appear to be just airborne out of Tel Aviv eastbound (10th heading towards UK). That's a lot!

Also Saudi SAAB 2000 AEW&C over Riyahd, plus a NATO E-3 and Turkish TB-2 in SE Turkiye.

Wow!. Must be big receivers, like 52's

Gums guesses...


Mass gaggle, but could azlso be a "flush" to
get off a potential target