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Aviation Pro

(15,617 posts) Sun Apr 5, 2026, 07:52 AM Sunday

I've got a goddamn question [View all]

Bravo Zulu to CSAR for rescuing our downed pilot.

First a little background, one of my mentors commanded an F-15D squadron back in 1988. The F-15E went into service in 1989 and the latest upgrade gives it enhanced electronic capabilities, but it does not have stealth.

So, my goddamn question is what the fuck are these legacy 4th generation aircraft doing in theatre when the airspace is still semi-denied?

Because my answer is they and their crews are being used as bait by the witless fucksticks “prosecuting” this war.

37 replies

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I've got a goddamn question [View all] Aviation Pro Sunday OP

4th generation is going to provide help and support for 5th generation. Irish_Dem Sunday #1

F-35s can't carry enough kinetics to hit all targets and remain stealthy. paleotn Sunday #18

Exactly, cheap seats are the mules. Irish_Dem Sunday #19

Yes, of course that was what this was all about. OhioBack2Blue Sunday #2

If they really cared about the troops there would be no war. We can't have that. Srkdqltr Sunday #3

I'm so old I remember 'support the troops!' but have seen enough to know the truth is Attilatheblond Sunday #27

I have a gd question too. Air superiority. jimmy the one Sunday #4

But the airspace around them was being monitored by AWACS. Oh, wait.... TheRickles Sunday #5

Air space, not the ground so much. That's the problem. paleotn Sunday #21

I swear I remember them being retired and the F-18 taking over most of its duties. BootinUp Sunday #6

The F-18 is a carrier borne attack / fighter JohnnyRingo Sunday #8

Kinda the same reason Canada purchased the F-18 for flying over the vast empty north. Swede Sunday #9

Yes, but the newer F-35 used by AF, Navy & Marines has a single engine thought crime Sunday #24

I didn't know the Navy was using the new generation fighter planes. JohnnyRingo Sunday #37

That was the F-14 (think Top Gun), not the F-15s JHB Sunday #29

I recall the reluctance to deploy the B2 and the F117 in Iraq. JohnnyRingo Sunday #7

I like your "Woke" avatar............ DFW Sunday #10

Have they shown the pilot yet? kentuck Sunday #11

Yup Farmer-Rick Sunday #12

Until they're shown on US or Iranian TV, they're probably still on the ground, evading capture. paleotn Sunday #15

Being from Missouri, that is generally my M.O. too, but with this Reality Show Administration Attilatheblond Sunday #32

Good point. paleotn Sunday #33

I believe the crewman was rescued and we'll probably be seeing some video soon thought crime Sunday #28

Thats wild. BradBo Sunday #13

Feels like the Package Q raid on Baghdad back in 1991 paleotn Sunday #14

Wasn't a B-52 heading over there? Or was that just a rumor? LeftInTX Sunday #23

B-52's have been in use for several days thought crime Sunday #26

Standoff only. Way far standoff. But you know Shitler wants to see 500 lb. dumb bombs streaming from their bomb bays paleotn Sunday #31

Hopefully the voices in his head aren't talking about nuclear weapons thought crime Sunday #35

Oh please god, no! paleotn Sunday #36

Heard that too. Supposedly in theater now. paleotn Sunday #30

Made for TV war. Remember there are two Hollywoods now, the one in CA, and the other in DC, RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Sunday #16

Did you forget that today is Easter? Polybius Sunday #17

Because the night before Trump said, "We've destroyed their air defense capabilities" LeftInTX Sunday #20

FYI, Stealth airplanes do not exist. It is a selling point so countries will spend $B's on airplanes. n/t Jacson6 Sunday #22

A big part of the reason we rely on the F-15 is the F-35 itself. That program has been a disaster if we are... Ol Janx Spirit Sunday #25

;-{) PLAN B Goonch Sunday #34