<p>Perhaps the number of requests for surviellience throughout the theater would not exceed the number of assets available if the AF were not attempting to protect their turf by insisting that only qualified active duty AF pilots fly them. Correct me if I am wrong, but my impression is that there are a lot of UAVs setting idle because of lack of pilots. We are contracting everything else in this war, why not allow contracted civilian or retired military pilots to fly the UAVs?</p>
<p>The continuing gripe that I am hearing is the AF’s failure to step up to the plate and provide support commensurate with a wartime environment. I have heard several examples, two of the more prevalent are as follows. When the relieving tanker is late, should the departing tanker leave station on schedule claiming expiration of crew day? There are Navy aircraft that have to modify their on-station time because of this. How prevalent, I have no idea but it happens. It also seems AF flights maintain section integrity at all times, even when refueling, leaving the troops on the ground at risk. The Navy sends one aircraft at a time to the tanker, maintaining station with the other. This seems to supplement the statement in the article that the AF is not doing their job. When both aircraft departs, the perception of the guy on the ground is that he has been left defenseless.</p>
<p>The Navy requires submarines to project its tasked mission of sea control. The AF needs to step up to the plate and perform it’s tasked missions commensurate with the Army’s demands. Quit making excuses.</p>