My point is just like helo's can't accomplish every mission, nor can F-22's. Our brass has decided what to utilize for each mission. The 22's aren't their pick. The 22's are stationed in AK for PACAF. That is their theater, and if something happens in Korea, they will be the ones to respond, we are not going to pull from Shaw as first response. You know that purely from the fact that crossing time zones and down time required. We need to remove the bubble perspective and look at the big picture.
I am old enough to remember the Brac back in the late 80's, and the A-10 was to be boneyarded, only because of their success in the Gulf were they given a reprieve. Had the Gulf never occurred the 10 would only be on sticks at AF bases now, like the 4 and the 111.
IMPO it was fiscally right and sound to shut the pipeline for the 22 at the original number because the 35 was coming on line too. Also, just like helo's, even fighters have a specific type of mission, such as Air to Air and Air to Ground, some like the Strike have both, but I am pretty sure many pilots would say it's main function is Air to Ground, especially 22 pilots. No need to send a 22 to the region because there are no air threats. The Strike which is still in that theater, and was the one to respond to Prince Harry is there because it has an air to ground mission. Remember, sometimes it is the AF to answer the call from troops on the ground for doing a strike.
Now, going onto the next issue, which ties into the 22. If we have these defense cuts, I do believe we will be looking at higher unemployment numbers. Many of these towns live and die by contracts for military hardware. If not just those towns, but so do the towns surrounding the installations. Reducing military personnel numbers will mean these members leaving that town to go back home. Homes will go up for sale, and create a glut, driving prices down. Business that exist for the military will no longer have a supply to meet their financial needs, thus laying off townies.
If you look at places like Dix, there is nothing there except for the base. NJers call it the Pine BARRENs as in barren. It is not the hot spot of NJ. Look at Quantico, in VA it is house upon house until you ht Triangle, and than it is land...go 5 miles south to Aquia and it is house upon house. Close Quantico and the hotels, go buh-by. The Amtrack station shuts down. It is a ripple down effect not only for the military, but the townies who rely on the military to earn a living.
The problem with our society is we live in our own personal bubble and believe that because it doesn't impact you directly, it won't impact you indirectly.
Look inside a tank, a helo, a ship, an aircraft. Now before you say we don't need that product, start really looking at it, and count the industries that will be impacted. Somebody has to make those light bulbs, computer chips, restraints, glass, paint, metal, etc. Somebody because the contract was cancelled will probably get a pink slip. Where do they go? The unemployment office and start to collect benefits, which will be less than their paycheck, so they won't be going out to dinner as much or shopping as much. What happens next...the restaurant and retailers don't hire or let go. See the downward cycle?
The fact and the reality is one thing that is probably staving off higher unemployment numbers is the Defense budget.
The sad part is if you ever spent a week in DC, you would see the amount of waste there is from the amount of GS's we have, people who once passed probationary period make firing a tenure professor a walk in the park. Before you slam me for well fire them and it increases unemployment, this is true, but not to the level of dinging the DOD. The majority of them are staffers, that can float into civil jobs. Their job does not impact another industry like the closure of a base or a program.
Here's an upshot for the day
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/15/obama-rules-out-new-f-16s-for-taiwan/
Lockheed Martin people must be happy!