The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a defense think tank, held a Capitol Hill seminar on Nov. 10 (DR, 11/11/05). One glow-in-the dark CSBA recommendation was that the Air Force should reduce spending on fighters in favor of other systems, including long-range bombers. CSBA’s Michael Vickes noted that USAF’s fleet comprises mostly nonstealthy B-52 and B-1B aircraft. He produced this graphic (click to enlarge). Note, however, that the chart begins in 1999. That leaves out the heavy investment in the B-2 and B-1B bombers in the 1980s and 1990s. Also, the sand chart includes Navy as well as Air Force fighters. Distorts the case a little bit.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.