The controversial leaks of classified documents have made it more important than ever that the Biden Administration beef up our national defense posture. Our adversaries will use this information to justify aggression towards U.S allies in an effort to weaken the posture of the United States military. The best way to fight back now is to send a strong message by beefing up our military with efficient, new equipment that responds to the military hardware, and software, we face today.
The threat around the word continues to increase and just recently one of our MQ-9s was struck by an enemy fighter and damaged over the Black Sea. Also, the skies over the Pacific Region continue to heat up. After a recent provocation by North Korea, “The United States responded by flying long-range bombers into the region for a joint exercise with South Korea in a demonstration of strength,” as reported by NPR. China last month sent at least one spy balloon across the U.S., forcing our leaders to use our F-15Cs and F-22s to shoot it down with an AIM-9X missile. Nobody knows whether the Chinese will attack U.S. ally Taiwan, but American aircraft will surely be called on to support the island if it does.
First, to show strength, we need to replenish what we have sent over to Ukraine. The Department of Defense announced on March 3, 2023 that “since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the United States has sent more than $30 billion worth of gear to Ukraine.” The most recent package included ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, additional 105 mm and 155 mm artillery rounds, additional 25 mm ammunition, armored vehicle-launched bridges demolition munitions and equipment for obstacle clearing. All of those systems and hardward need to be replaced while also keeping the military updated for current, and future, threats.
On January 6, 2023, the AP reported that the U.S. was sending 50 Bradleys (tanks) as well as 500 anti-tank missiles and 250,000 rounds of ammunition for the carriers,” with “100 M113 armored personnel carriers, 55 mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles, or MRAPS, and 138 Humvees, as well as ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and air defense systems and other weapons and thousands of rounds of artillery.” That package was $3.75 billion that will end up being paid off by U.S. taxpayers when they have to pay for new Bradley tanks and all the other hardware we shipped off to Ukriane. The budget for this year should start the process of replenishing what we have given away, keeping the funding that works and providing for future threats.
Threats are widespread and persistent and a great example of one way to save taxpayer money while providing the military with the most efficient tool to get the job done is the way the Pentagon is handing refueling tankers. The Pentagon has settled on the KC-46 Pegasus refueling tanker as the bridge to the future of tankers. This falls into the category of keeping the funding that works.
The United States requires fighters to travel long distances and maintain productive combat station times once they arrive to the battle space. Tanker support for our fighters has been the key to air power for decades and is what has allowed us to maintain air dominance since the end of World War II. My father flew the KC-135 out of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Japan during Vietnam. We are still, after 50 plus years, relying on old technology to support a new dynamic threat around the world. Luckily, today we have the KC-46 Pegasus tanker ready to fulfill our combat requirements and provide the next generation of Air Dominance against many emerging threats.
With the continued threat to our national security, now is the time for the U.S. government to put their money where their mouth and policy land. Replenish, fund what works and get ready for future threats to show the world that we mean business when it comes to defending America.
Jared “Chowda” Conaboy, Commissioned in 1998 from UMASS ROTC, 21 years in Air Force/ANG with Over 2000 hours in F-15C, Instructor Pilot, and Weapons School Graduate.
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