As a former supply troop in the 23rd Supply Squadron (no idea where headquarters is) – I have a quote for you: “Spare parts win wars”.
I was MICAP (mission capable-red alert) in the reserves out of Tinker AFB. My yearly reserve duty was to support E-3A aircraft worldwide. I earned the name “Action Jackson” because I get results. No matter where in the world a bird was down for parts – we got the part to them in their location. Preferably hours, not days.
Spare parts are so crucial, as I was leaving active duty in the Air Force they started COSO. They literally put a small supply outlet on the flight line to save time getting parts.
The stranded birds Iran is bombing have likely been cannibalized. (When they cannot get a part for a plane, they use the plane for spare parts to keep other aircraft flying). All aircraft remain in inventory waiting parts.
They are in the desert taking in a ton of dust. Gyroscopes and altimeters can fail after every flight – for no particular reason. I doubt that has changed.
President Trump thinks you give a command and everything just works because you are the greatest military on earth. Our military are fighting more than one battle.
I am a peacetime veteran. They tell me I still count. Everything I convey is how the military stays fit year round.
For Hezbollah, and the Houthis, and the IRG – Iran has a certifiable training program. Nobody can beat whom they train-up. Israel is about to lose in Lebanon for the second or third time.
[new rule. if you do not serve 1 tour in the military you cannot be president. rich people are typically play for the Dodgers. then they kill a bunch of people because they have no idea what the responsibility of being commander in chief should resemble]
[my primary concern for our missing pilot is the desert. my understanding is pilots are well trained on enemy territory – and equipped to survive. he will be hiding, but not from his own aircraft. they have already searched with heat seeking devices]
[America has her first MIA]