via National Interest
The head of STRATCOM stated that 145 B-21s would need to be fielded in order to satisfy the needs of the service.
The significance of the US Air Force’s bomber fleet was most recently exemplified in the Operation Midnight Hammer airstrikes that targeted Iran’s top three nuclear facilities. While the B-2’s successful bombing operation at least impaired Tehran’s ability to ramp up uranium production anytime soon, it also showcased the small fleet size of one of the service’s top-tier bombing platforms. Only 19 “Spirit” stealth bombers are currently in service today. This shockingly small fleet size is expected to be complemented down the line with the future B-21 “Raider” series. The Northrop Grumman strategic bomber is currently under development for the Air Force and will host all the latest and greatest technologies when introduced as the military’s first sixth-generation aircraft of its kind.
Call them chairborne all you want, the USAF brass know how to play the Pentagon game.
What makes them particularly vicious?
They play the joint game only when needed. Other than that they push the narrative (similar to the Marine Corps) that they can do it all solo. But its more than just talk. If you pay attention to some of the language from USAF leadership they're taking it to the budget fight and calling for other services budgets to be reduced so theirs can be increased to satisfy the needs of the future fight.
Personally I always viewed the USAF as something other. Yeah the pilots were warfighters. USAF Special Ops? Ditto. Other than that the only guys I could point to were the dudes in Security Forces and the ParaRescue bubbas.
Stupid thinking on my part.
Their team doing the budget fights can be included in that too. The problem for the rest of the Pentagon? They're subtle but effective. With an administration AND A PUBLIC that is tired of lingering small wars they'll probably win more than they lose in the next few years too.
My prediction?
The Army will hang on by a thread. The Marine Corps is too small to be noticed. Special Ops are in a different class so they don't have any worries.
Nah bro. Its the Navy that's gonna get screwed big time by the flyboys. Hope God's with them...and the US if they're all wrong...which I suspect.
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