Simple answer: BECAUSE IT’S DANGEROUS FOR YOU AND THEM AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD.

F-100 was before (and after) the F-105.

And with McNamara-era rules of engagement?

Well, I think “anywhere” might be a bit of an exaggeration... you’d have to have a B-2 nearby and be able to refuel it right outside, say, Russian radar range, but I suppose your point is well taken.

There’s a lot of revisionist history, and a bit of conspiracy, to break down here. Check my post elsewhere for the reasons why I made that claim. I don’t have time to rebut this point by point right now, but I promise I will be back later.

Yes, I was “around” in 2002/2003, and was old/conscious enough to go on the record opposing the invasion of Iraq. (For several reasons — some of which turned out to be correct, others less so)

Agreed on all 3. Especially dangerous when running WW missions.

Tough to argue that the Taliban had 0 to do with 9-11, given that they tolerated and were aligned with Qaida. And I don’t think anyone, even in the Bush administration, claimed Iraq was to blame for 9-11.

Well, sometimes you’ve gotta...

Well, the US doesn’t really stand to gain anything by protecting the status quo in SCS, except the thanks of a bunch of countries that can’t even defend themselves against the regional bully.

Okay, so if Washington DC just mysteriously disappears, with no warning, and nobody obviously to blame, and nobody takes responsibility, who do you strike back at? I mean, Russia could be the culprit, but wouldn’t you worry about being wrong? Mightn’t you call it a day out of the fear of killing a lot of people who…

Yeah, I didn’t watch it but I wondered if that’s what it was, based on the title.

The F-104 was also terrible. (And the reason Erich Hartmann got kicked out of the BRD Luftwaffe)

Except that, for something like this, I don’t think even Global Hawk has the room. You’re going to have to design a brand new aircraft either way. And the upkeep is still going to be more expensive than just filling a balloon with helium and putting it in the sky.

I think everyone always forgets the Thunderbirds once flew F-105s. Probably because the aircraft flew apart in flight and killed people.

That is a TV show I literally never heard of until just now

Not ‘Murica nuff. Needz moar Bald Eagle slamming a light beer in a monster truck.

Drones can’t be taken out by guns? Since when?

Especially given the other Kirov article