BDGER and Grumble:

Sorry for the drift (away from C-27), but a Marine Question: the Air Force is hell-bent on getting rid of the A-10, and replacing it with the F-35. The F-35, in my view, is a weaker replacement for the F-16 (not as maneuverable, not as much load capability, not as much station time, and higher operating costs).

It is a pathetic replacement for the A-10, for the same reasons, but even more so for CAS because of a limited amount of gun rounds AND smaller caliber. (25mm vs 30mm, and I've heard 220 rounds vs 1100).

A three-star Admiral (can't remember who) testified before Congress that "...there's no question the A-10 is the best platform for CAS, but how important is CAS?"

It seems to me, for the last 23 years, CAS has been THE single most important facet of our airpower fight.

I read, and saw pictures thereof, that the USMC bought all of the RAF's Harriers after the RAF retired them. I saw pictures of them, dismantled, stored at Davis-Monthan. (They've been there for about two years). I wondered "Why?" The only answer I can come up with is that the Corps is hedging their bets that the F-35 won't work out or will get curtailed. If so, they would need some Harrier parts to keep the fleet flying. The Brit Harriers are different from the US Harriers, but there must be some common parts.

The question: do you think it could be possible the Air Force would park the A-10s, and the Marines would pick them up? Price is cheap, operating costs are low, and CAS is maximized.