Words that rarely leave my mouth: Congress got it right.
I even get the chance to thank a representative, Todd Akin, for helping to bring more planes to wings throughout the U.S. and even overseas.
There had been debates over how many fighter jets we would be seeing take to the skies, as even Defense Secretary Robert Gates had argued for a reduction in force that might have made it tougher to find a pilot slot.
But as my team knows, the path to getting the best slots in any branch is a lot easier with new planes to spread around.
Thanks to Todd Akin from Missouri, eight more F/A-18 Super Hornets were ordered as part of this year’s defense budget, for a total of 124 between now and the next two or three years. Awesome!
An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 belts fire as it launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
It’s a good start, as it will allow for more Super Hornets and their electronic warfare counterparts the E/A18-G “Growlers,” and the folks in Congress managed to do it by getting a discount for the multi-year deal and a few other accounting details that aren’t really that important.
What is important is knowing that you will continue to get new planes to fly when you get the right slot for you in the coming years.
With the F-35 completing its first vertical maneuvers in recent weeks, you now have some of the best birds in the business just waiting.
The F-22, the F-35, the F/A-18 and even the older jets that still are among the best in the business. I had been worried that the guys on Capitol Hill wouldn’t see the value of maintaining a strong air power capability.
With this bit of good news, I have a question for all you Afterburner club members: Which of the new planes that the Defense Department is buying this year would you fly first?
Roy says
Well, I would choose the F-22 in a heartbeat. I’ve always had a very deep affection for this jet, since it’s the first one I started piloting (virtually) back in 1996, when it was still a prototype. I would pick the Super Hornet second because it’s a very versatile plane (even the Growler is very cool!) and finally the F-35. But the truth is, they’re all badass! 😉
Joren Jackson says
This is very cool! I truly believe that flexible aircraft – epitomized in the F-18 series – are the way of the future. In todays combat, flexibility is what really matters. The most useful aircraft are going to be the ones that can shoot down 2 interceptors, deliver a healthy-sized ordnance accurately to their target, and fight their way out. For sure, F-18s and F-35s are such aircraft, and it’s promising to see more funding going to them and not just to the F-22, which has limited roles as an air superiority fighter.
Christopher says
Heya Ed, my first pick would be the F-22 Raptor, but to be honest i doubt i will ever get to fly, no matter how hard i work in school, how physically fit i am, it is of no relevence because i have very bad vision.
Nick says
I want to fly an F 18 but Ive become afraid of flying. I cant figure out how to get rid of it.
Almos says
I would absolutely fly the F-35 because it has VTOL capability and because it can fly at supersonic speeds.
Sean Newton says
F-35C
VTOL baby 😉
Sam Magnifico says
I’m old school…F-18 baby!!!
Brendan says
I’d go with the F22 but a career in the Air Force would be difficult to get cause I’ve got asthma.
Christopher says
I feel your pain Brendan, as i said, i have bad vision.
Elliott says
I would pick the f-22 first because of the supercruise and thrust vectoring capabilities. Then I would go with the f-35 and then the f-18, but I wouldn’t complian about flying any of these. I’m in the navy so the f-22 is not an option for me. The main reason why I would pick the f-35 over the f-18 is the stealth feature. Less visibility for the enemy means greater survivability for me.
Cole says
I would take the super hornet, but I don’t think I get much of a choice. I’m from Canada and we have about 70 jets total. We’re part of the f-35 program but still not sure what we’re getting. And if we do get something, we will probably only get 60. You guys are lucky
Nic says
It, without a doubt, is the F-35!!! A super stealthy, multi-role aircraft that will dominate the battlefields of the future!!!
Anonymous says
Just because more F-18s were built doesn’t necessarily more F-22s will be built. The F-35 (mostly for Marines) will most definitely have a chance of more its kind being produced since the Marines are closely associated with the Navy, being so, the F-22 probably won’t be mass produced since it’s only contributed is the Air Force which isn’t close to the Navy.
It’s sad though, that the Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, Coast Guard serve under one flag, but don’t serve under one flag once it comes down to money…
Michael Hicks says
F-35 all the way
Spencer Plattner says
F-22 because it is such a sweet looking plane with its stealth features. Also ever since it was introduced to our military I have dreamed of flying it.
Adam says
I would love to fly the F-35C, but other than that I would rather fly an F/A-18. I think it is because I have grown up watching the F/A-18 kick butt since the 1st Gulf War, and I have seen it flown by the Blue Angels since I was little. I guess the newer jets just haven’t had a chance to earn my respect like the F/A-18 has.
Nolan Smith says
The F-22 Raptor is the plane for me and I would choose it in a heartbeat. With it’s thrust vectoring, ability to go super-sonic without afterburners, ability for one Raptor to take on 5 F-15s & it’s stealth all add up to one of the best planes ever made and I plan to make it my goal in joining the USAF.
Kaje says
F-18 all the way, baby! F-22 and F-35’s are truly impeccable, but F-18s hold more manual/pilot capabilities. I would rather take out an enemy by competance rather than a computer… old school dogfighting style
Joe says
Good for the Navy that they’re adding more superbugs to the mix. I just hope Lockheed-Martin gets a move on with the 3 variants of the F-35. While the AF is looking to become an almost all-stealth combat force in the future, the Navy looks like it’s still sticking to Multi-role conventional combat planes while accepting stealth now into the fleet. It will definitely turn out to be quite a flexible team.
AEAA VALDEZ says
Just got assigned to VAQ 132 “Scorpions” and the new E/A 18 – G “Growlers” freakin rock!!!
Neil Schettler says
I loved the F-14 Tomcat. My dads friend was a Fighter Pilot and instructor at Topgun during the time the movie was shot. Tom Engle talked about the F-14 and said it was the fastest jet as well as his favorite jet he flew in the Navy. He flew F-18’s but preffered the Tomcat. But since the jet was retired, I would have to say my seat would be in the F-18. I love the characteristics of this fighter aircraft and I believe it would fit me well. F-22 and F-35 are badass but I’m stuck on the F-18. I am confident I will be flying the Super Hornet after college and after flight school. See you all in the air!!!
Neil Schettler says
I’m with you Kaje 100 percent! You can be my wing man hahaha!
Tiago says
F-35 oh yeaaah
Joseph Lareau says
The newer, the better, I suppose.
Donald says
So no one is going to say F-15, or F-16? These are honestly the two that I would want to fly the most, and being unorthodox i wouldn’t mind getting to fly A-10’s at all. If you ever get a chance look at the nose gear, its offset to make the Gau-8 center line.
Dave says
I like the F4D Phantom.
Raj says
Spitfire all the way! Kick all the modern aircrafts asses any day 😉