Clark Griswold

Yup, there is no tomorrow for the revolutionary government of the Iran if they lose hence why they spent 40 years getting ready for this. I did my own bar napkin math and I came up with a 1 million man fighting force to take, occupy and pacify Iran. Probably supported by another 1 million+ military members, 100+ CAPs, 3 carrier battle groups, etc… basically a doubling of the DOW budget, conscription required, the kitchen sink, etc… we can’t or won’t do that. We would end America as we know it, I’m not even opposed to military action against Iran to forestall nuclear weapons development but I know that if we decided that regime change is the only way to guarantee that the revolutionary Islamic government of Iran never acquires nuclear weapons, we would destroy our country in the process unless we as a country through a popular process decided this was worth it. One party making it their explicit policy, winning an election cycle and then executing it. I doubt that will happen so a lesser approach is likely required. My policy and strategy recommendations would be to consistently degrade conventional capabilities, factor and prioritize minimal collateral damage, deny economic resources to the regime; begin the diplomatic effects to isolate the regime; establish a new Iranian government in absentia that is a visible alternative to the revolutionary Islamic one and settle in for a multi year effort to collapse the regime. Did Israel trick us into attacking Iran? No. Did they encourage us to? Yes. The Venn diagram of Israel’s interests and America’s interests do overlap in Iran not having a nuclear weapons capability but Israel’s interest in this is much larger than ours, hence why they pulled every lever to get us to go kinetic. Others encouraged the administration to attack too, Israel was only part of the coalition. Totally neutral in that statement, I like the Israelis but don’t see them as infallible or without parochial interests either, they are a good ally mostly but not angels either, proceed accordingly. The Irony is the analogous behavior of President Trump and President Putin, both had successful military ops before that IMO encouraged them to try the big one. Putin had the successful operation taking Crimea and Trump had Midnight Hammer and Venezuela, they both misinterpreted the successes of those very different focused missions and thought they were indicators of likely success in a major conventional campaign. Nope, not unless you gear up and commit your country to a major military campaign, you’ll not lose what you start but you won’t win either. Putin has obviously gotten close to that total mobilization required if you want to win but even he thinks that is likely more than his nation will support. President Trump hasn’t even hinted at what would likely be required and/or doing that.

Commuter worthy read https://warontherocks.com/managed-instability-why-the-wars-against-iran-and-ukraine-can-go-on-and-on-and-on/

Nice My main quibble and the point(s) BURT made well in his article in support of the Rhino was the expeditionary capability inherent in it vs the -35 for a replacement if the AF wants to preserve the Attack community which I obviously support Changing the argument or adding to it should be the need for an AF expeditionary strike fighter focusing on the attack mission set. A force forward based to redeploy quickly to complicate enemy targeting and survive, to interoperate with the main branch leading the PACOM theater seamlessly, etc… Saving the Hog would be great but ultimately the mission and operational conditions have moved on and in particular the tyranny of distance necessitates new iron.

Might already be operational https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-and-us-modified-f-35-jets-enable-iran-attack-without-refuelling-sources-say

Wanna focus on that point, as with -47, range is key. Our recent experience with Iranian TBMs, drones, etc… I think reinforces that operating outside of the threat rings or with enough setback for warning/defense is paramount. That IMO drives a growth in size and logistical footprint (maybe) of any platform, so be it. With that in mind, I think that drives you back to the advanced rhino with CFTs and other updates, signature reductions, etc… If king for a day, rework the already strong wing and expand idea of enclosed weapons pods, fixing the 4 degree canting placement for drag reduction.

https://www.twz.com/a-10-pilots-compelling-case-for-replacing-warthogs-with-super-hornets I found BURT’s argument persuasive and before I had read it I thought the Rhino was probably the right aircraft for the AF’s attack mission set with self escort capes. Just my two cents but I think a carrier suitable jet would have the trade space in weight / structural strength for mods to optimize for Attack while retaining true self defense capabilities. Delete or mod carrier landing gear, wing folding, etc… and methinks you could get more gas, armor, redundant or extra systems, etc…. also, with the original baseline Rhino being a carrier based fighter, it probably would be well suited for land based ACE expeditionary ops with mods, already has an APU for instance and has demonstrated road based dispersal ops.

Interesting read https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/12/brrrrt-acts-plan-to-save-the-a-10s/ Just buy Superhornets and replace the venerable Hawg

https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/04/exclusive-the-usaf-t-1a-jayhawk-poses-for-its-final-air-to-air-photo-shoot/

They (the left, globalists, etc…) either don’t care, don’t think it’ll backfire or are so stupid they think they can play with fire and not get burned. I’ve followed it a bit today, of the 60k that crossed about 48k have returned to Morocco but it’s still a mess and very tense. Borders and enforcement allow for stability and control, with that you can make rational, moral policies consistent with the right combination of self determination and reasonable humanity towards foreigners. Choir preaching but needs to be said apparently as the leaders of Spain are determined to test that hot stove theory yet again.

https://www.the-sun.com/news/16773163/migrants-storm-spain-enclave-border-shots/ https://redstate.com/kyle-becker/2026/07/30/spain-is-falling-migrants-overrun-border-officials-beg-socialists-to-call-national-emergency-n2204956 The left is insane.

Commute worthy read Our Generals Are Not Even Good at Tactics: A Hard-Hitting...Until we do, our generals will continue to fail us — not because they lack technology or tactical drills, but because the system that produces them was designed for a different war and century.Not 100% on board with the author’s assertions on the current state of the GO ranks / Officer selection and career path planning, he’s probably 2/3rds right but worthy points.

Super Typhoon https://www.twz.com/air/germany-unveils-latest-tranche-4-eurofighter

Maybe… https://theaviationist.com/2026/07/16/first-customer-next-gen-catalina-flying-boat/

Ultimate TMAAT vignette…

Rog, just another idea from moi, I’m not adamant about it per se but in this particular case I see a reason for it. I argue for it as I see it along with a revitalized training fleet as part of what I call strong pilot culture. Just from the outside, it seems to be eroding a bit.