This is an extremely well written article, ably fleshing out a laudable (even noble) doctrine. But is that doctrine really true in reality (or does it serve a psychological, more than practical, purpose). And can this rescue story be taken at face value.
Propaganda is obviously at extreme levels right now. Because the initial downing attracted such intense focus - due to it revealing for the world to see that U.S air power is not invincible, I imagine the number one priority was to offset that damaging perception, overturn it before it took hold, and rapidly restore and fortify credibility.
It was absolutely critical to craft this as a win and a show of U.S military superiority at a time when the U.S. has clearly bitten off more than it can chew, has vastly underestimated its adversary, and is responsible for instigating a cascade of chaos throughout the region and, soon to be, the wider world.
The whole story seems to have been spun and washed into the highest form of statecraft Super-Warrior narrative.
There are so many conflicting reports of what actually happened here, and so much propaganda that determining anything with certainty becomes impossible.
In a visit this summer to the American Cemetery in Normandy we saw a wall of approximate 1200 names of the MIA. They gave their all and I was proud that our country continues the search for them, and they are not forgotten. I’m proud of this country’s commitment to our servicemen & women past & present.
Foubert and his Polish commenters represent a country that can’t even fight for its own sovereignty. They have no clue what or how or why our motto is important and patriotic. Pilots and all military members are worth more than any plane(s).
If you think spending $200M to bring one American colonel home was “strategic weakness disguised as virtue”, let me tell you a story about how much we spent rebuilding Poland after they got their asses kicked by Germany and then protecting millions of limp dick Poles from Russia for 75 years. That was some serious “strategic weakness disguised as virtue” as the only thing we got in return was ungrateful idiots like @Arrogance_0024
That's why our military is so strong. We place a value on our soldiers lives, not a price tag. We say no man left behind because we know what they mean to us, and to their families.
No country has ever prevailed with this doctrine against a peer or near peer adversary. The US did not have this doctrine in WW2 (82,000 aircrew POW). The US started this doctrine in Vietnam (500 aircrew PoW) and lost. This doctrine is a luxury doctrine that will lose this war unless it is set aside.
Losing 8 aircraft for 1 shot down grants a huge force multiplier to Iran that they must be thanking God for. None of those airframes are replaceable in a decade, let alone the timeframe of this war.
This luxury doctrine, unique to the US, clearly telegraphs to adversaries that the US has incredibly weak tolerance for losses. It shows tuen the US weakness and teaches them how to beat the US. Of course Iran has known about this weakness and exploited it since 1979. And the US has only grown weaker since then.
WW2: 82,000 aircrew PoW
Vietnam: 500 aircrew PoW
Today: 8 aircraft, half a billion dollars, sacrificed to rescue 1 airman
The US military is 500 times more vulnerable than it was In Vietnam and 80,000 times more vulnerable than it was in WW2
Strangely every war fought in human history, up until the US in Vietnam, managed to be won without this “leave no man behind” luxury fetish.
The USMC has always had a core doctrine that we leave no Marine behind. I know from personal experience it was a proud tradition completely established by 1968, but you have no idea the inspiration given by the knowledge that alive or dead, you won’t be left to the tender mercies of the enemy.
As company grade officers we were inculcated with the principle of no one left behind, even the dead, and it never happened with me but I know of situations where six Marines were lost retrieving a dead comrade.
Some find this unsupportable but I assure you, to the ones directly involved, it absolutely isn’t.
The US military luxury fetish didn't seem to hold them back in Iraq in 2003, unless the Iraqi plan was to overwhelm US forces with underfed surrendering conscripts.
Iran has two advantages- oil and geography. For Iranian oil to remain an advantage it has to have large, expensive, stationary refineries that would take years to rebuild were they to be hit by missiles.
Iran's geography allows it to hurt the economies of its oil exporting neighbors, who won't forget Iranian missile and drone attacks nor who supplied them with missile and drone defense.
I suppose a third advantage is Iranian fighters are motivated by the promise of 40 underage girls to molest after their Anywho Akbar days are done.
There's a reason Venezuela got a new president before Iran was hit a second time. It was in anticipation of Iran blocking the Strait.
Every oil producing nation in the ME is transitioning it's economy away from oil. Iran is behind its neighbors on this too. And now the rest of the world will transition away from ME oil that much faster.
Tis an interesting thought that if it were these exact commenters who were 'the man left behind', would their arm chair quarterback opinions be the same?
Or would they be hoping the USAF were somewhere near the vicinity?
Like, REALLY CLOSE BY!
Human life is priceless.
Equipment can be replaced.
The unity of the force KNOWING the Team has their back, come hell or high water, makes them a force of immeasurable fortitude, perseverance, strength and loyalty.
And with that, comes compassion and regard for life itself.
This essay confirms how special the U.S. military is despite criticism from other nations and individuals. It is indicative of how special the current administration is, especially as compared to the previous anti-American regime.
You never fail to impress me, not just with your homework but with your choice of topics. Thank you!
Sometimes there is nothing left to do but fight. Partitioned Poland would not understand that.
This is an extremely well written article, ably fleshing out a laudable (even noble) doctrine. But is that doctrine really true in reality (or does it serve a psychological, more than practical, purpose). And can this rescue story be taken at face value.
Propaganda is obviously at extreme levels right now. Because the initial downing attracted such intense focus - due to it revealing for the world to see that U.S air power is not invincible, I imagine the number one priority was to offset that damaging perception, overturn it before it took hold, and rapidly restore and fortify credibility.
It was absolutely critical to craft this as a win and a show of U.S military superiority at a time when the U.S. has clearly bitten off more than it can chew, has vastly underestimated its adversary, and is responsible for instigating a cascade of chaos throughout the region and, soon to be, the wider world.
The whole story seems to have been spun and washed into the highest form of statecraft Super-Warrior narrative.
There are so many conflicting reports of what actually happened here, and so much propaganda that determining anything with certainty becomes impossible.
https://substack.com/@globalgeopolitic/note/c-238822726?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=nll84
In a visit this summer to the American Cemetery in Normandy we saw a wall of approximate 1200 names of the MIA. They gave their all and I was proud that our country continues the search for them, and they are not forgotten. I’m proud of this country’s commitment to our servicemen & women past & present.
It actually was based on a true story!
Foubert and his Polish commenters represent a country that can’t even fight for its own sovereignty. They have no clue what or how or why our motto is important and patriotic. Pilots and all military members are worth more than any plane(s).
If you think spending $200M to bring one American colonel home was “strategic weakness disguised as virtue”, let me tell you a story about how much we spent rebuilding Poland after they got their asses kicked by Germany and then protecting millions of limp dick Poles from Russia for 75 years. That was some serious “strategic weakness disguised as virtue” as the only thing we got in return was ungrateful idiots like @Arrogance_0024
Excellent
That's why our military is so strong. We place a value on our soldiers lives, not a price tag. We say no man left behind because we know what they mean to us, and to their families.
Grateful for the people who risked their lives to return our pilot. This was critically important to the success of the campaign.
No country has ever prevailed with this doctrine against a peer or near peer adversary. The US did not have this doctrine in WW2 (82,000 aircrew POW). The US started this doctrine in Vietnam (500 aircrew PoW) and lost. This doctrine is a luxury doctrine that will lose this war unless it is set aside.
Blocked for being a blithering scumbag.
The argument is clear and logical. And clearly we would have no military volunteers without this. Thank you for educating us all, including Europeans.
What is the price then, of a human life? Ask the Polish commentator that.
Losing 8 aircraft for 1 shot down grants a huge force multiplier to Iran that they must be thanking God for. None of those airframes are replaceable in a decade, let alone the timeframe of this war.
This luxury doctrine, unique to the US, clearly telegraphs to adversaries that the US has incredibly weak tolerance for losses. It shows tuen the US weakness and teaches them how to beat the US. Of course Iran has known about this weakness and exploited it since 1979. And the US has only grown weaker since then.
WW2: 82,000 aircrew PoW
Vietnam: 500 aircrew PoW
Today: 8 aircraft, half a billion dollars, sacrificed to rescue 1 airman
The US military is 500 times more vulnerable than it was In Vietnam and 80,000 times more vulnerable than it was in WW2
Strangely every war fought in human history, up until the US in Vietnam, managed to be won without this “leave no man behind” luxury fetish.
FALSE!!!
The USMC has always had a core doctrine that we leave no Marine behind. I know from personal experience it was a proud tradition completely established by 1968, but you have no idea the inspiration given by the knowledge that alive or dead, you won’t be left to the tender mercies of the enemy.
As company grade officers we were inculcated with the principle of no one left behind, even the dead, and it never happened with me but I know of situations where six Marines were lost retrieving a dead comrade.
Some find this unsupportable but I assure you, to the ones directly involved, it absolutely isn’t.
The US military luxury fetish didn't seem to hold them back in Iraq in 2003, unless the Iraqi plan was to overwhelm US forces with underfed surrendering conscripts.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/thousands-of-iraqi-soldiers-surrender
Iran has two advantages- oil and geography. For Iranian oil to remain an advantage it has to have large, expensive, stationary refineries that would take years to rebuild were they to be hit by missiles.
Iran's geography allows it to hurt the economies of its oil exporting neighbors, who won't forget Iranian missile and drone attacks nor who supplied them with missile and drone defense.
I suppose a third advantage is Iranian fighters are motivated by the promise of 40 underage girls to molest after their Anywho Akbar days are done.
There's a reason Venezuela got a new president before Iran was hit a second time. It was in anticipation of Iran blocking the Strait.
Every oil producing nation in the ME is transitioning it's economy away from oil. Iran is behind its neighbors on this too. And now the rest of the world will transition away from ME oil that much faster.
Tis an interesting thought that if it were these exact commenters who were 'the man left behind', would their arm chair quarterback opinions be the same?
Or would they be hoping the USAF were somewhere near the vicinity?
Like, REALLY CLOSE BY!
Human life is priceless.
Equipment can be replaced.
The unity of the force KNOWING the Team has their back, come hell or high water, makes them a force of immeasurable fortitude, perseverance, strength and loyalty.
And with that, comes compassion and regard for life itself.
Awesome writing.
Clear, concise, and logical.
Thank you.
*Tips hat
Much Love
My sentiments exactly.
This essay confirms how special the U.S. military is despite criticism from other nations and individuals. It is indicative of how special the current administration is, especially as compared to the previous anti-American regime.
Turning the loss of 1 aircraft into the loss of 8 aircraft is indeed, truly special.
Funny how they stretch the truth!