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Great argument for getting some 38's (or heck, anything) for all those atrophying pilots in RPA land.

We could definitely hack the mish with a T-1 or even eclipse like aircraft. It would be a big step back though for sure. It's by no means essential, but having an aircraft that you can fly tactical formation in and fly finger tip with is valuable specifically because its so different from the B-2. Just my opinion, but I think the T-38 is about as perfect of an airmanship builder as can be- which is really the purpose of the companion trainer program- to build up the pilots in the areas they tend to get deficient in while B-2 flying. I will readily admit I'm very biased and love the 38. The real downside would be to have an aircraft that we didn't own. It seems an aircraft you don't own, will be soon cut as budgets continue to be tight.

Burn the witch.

Thanks for the insight, hadn't thought about a companion trainer in that context. With that perspective, I really don't see why we would need to replace the T-38s going along the lines of "if its not broke don't fix it". But then again we are talking about the AF and more importantly AF acquisitions.

Isn't he the one we are certain never served a day in his life? Why the F does he care?

Yep - not the whole bleak picture but probably a good guess at what the Battle of Taiwan would require... a shit load of airplanes, missiles, luck and brass balls to fight. Article on what a PRC invasion of Taiwan might look like or their options for a military solution to re-unification: http://www.businessinsider.com/what-a-chinese-invasion-of-taiwan-would-look-like-2014-6 Probably the best Taiwan can do it make the island one giant IED, machine gun and sniper's nest to make any amphibious or airborne invasion enormously costly to the invasion force, a pyrrhic victory at best via a very long bloody campaign. Article at TNR on that subject: http://nationalinterest.org/feature/taiwans-master-plan-defeat-china-war-12510 The best deterrent is the anticipated reaction of the world: Seizure of foreign investments and good luck getting paid on the 2+ trillion the US owes you, no one except the pariah states would recognize their annexation and everyone around you will now arm themselves to the max extent they can afford and probably cozy up with the US and maybe even Japan. Great you got an island with no natural resources, no one recognizes your claim, you fought a very bloody & expensive campaign and the population hates you - big win.

Rainbow sherbet was in my top 3....https://youtu.be/YbYWhdLO43Q

Solid, congrats.

How is bumming these day's with the supposed reduction of forces in the middle east?