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Rare Air
In regards to the article “Drone Hype and Airpower Amnesia,” July/August, p. 46, Drones are not going to replace the need for air superiority by aircraft. When the mission is Operation Midnight Hammer, drones won’t be able to do the job. Strategically, airpower is essential. However, drones have been absolutely revolutionary in parts of the tactical world.
Billy Mitchell demonstrated that battleships were obsolete with his aircraft. Drones in Ukraine are demonstrating that tanks and armored vehicles are essentially obsolete. Despite having a 4 to 1 advantage in tanks/armored vehicles, the Russians rarely attack with them because of the detection and destruction due to small drones.
Drones are revolutionary. They have essentially replaced artillery in the Russia-Ukraine war because of their precision. Furthermore, the numbers of drones are staggering. In 2024, Ukraine produced 2 million drones and in 2025 the estimate is for 4 million drones. While EW is causing most drone losses by cutting the comm link, wire-guided drones and autonomous drones could change this.
Personally, I think the U.S. military is underestimating the present power of drones and potential future power. The Russians underestimated drones at their air bases with bombers. The U.S. military (Army-Navy-Air Force) needs.
Mission Accomplished
Operation Midnight Hammer [July/August, p. 20] will go down in history as one of the best Air Force operations ever. It demonstrated global reach and lethal weapons used against a very difficult target. Well done. Everything was well done: aircraft design, weapon design, aircrew training, ground crew training, and coordinated action by all the Air Force elements from refueling to air defense suppression to battle management. Peace through Strength.
William Thayer
San Diego, Calif.
(2nd entry)
Watchful Eyes
As flight leads we were always watchful and leery of our wingman during flights. With the new collaborative combat wingman approaching reality.
You can almost hear the human flight lead saying, “What’s it doing now!”
Col. Clyde Romero,
USAF (Ret.)
Marietta, Ga.
Sacrifice
The article “Bob Lodge and the Making of Air Force Vietnam Aces” [May/June, p. 28] points out that the greatest assets we have to defend our national interests are the out-of-the-box thinkers such as Bob Lodge, and as referenced, the then Col. Robin Olds. Creative, tenacious, bold, and brave!
The article did not mention his awarded Silver Stars and Distinguished Flying Crosses. It also did not mention whether or not Major Lodge was ever considered for the Medal of Honor? If he wasn’t, should he not be? Willingly sacrificing his life to save others should qualify him, wouldn’t you think? Our Association should lobby for this.
Lt. Col. Tezeon Wong,
USAR (Ret.)
Newbury, Ohio
