06/04/2011 by Ed Timperlake
To paraphrase a song from the Vietnam era “all we are saying is give (peace) deterrence a chance.”
Two years ago I put forth a proposition that an F-22 export version should be develop for Japan and Israel—“F-22 to Japan and Israel: A debt of Honor.”
“Both Israel and Japan are longtime trusted allies desperately needing the best Fighter America can provide. Bad actors such as Iran, North Korea and the PRC, should know their actions will trigger real world consequences from America.
The F-22 Raptor puts a marker down that America stands with our allies when it really counts. The F-22 is the ultimate deterrent Aircraft for Israel and Japan, because it is so dominant and therefore would increase stability in both regions. Any adversary will think twice before attacking because it has no defense against F-22 including hiding behind a Russian state-of-the-art S-300 Air defense missile system.”
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/07/f22_to_japan_and_israel_a_debt.html
Now Dr. Robbin Laird has pointed out that time is not an option for Israel. President Obama was not served well by his advisors when he was allowed to claim victory in killing the F-22 production line by saying the best fighter in the world was “outdated.” This was a strategic blunder of the first magnitude.
http://www.sldinfo.com/?p=19170
http://www.sldforum.com/2011/06/no-sense-of-urgency-in-the-u-s-approach-to-the-future-of-airpower/
In fact, history shows that two of the most different presidents in American History both did the right thing when Israel needed help for survival.
As the 1973 Egyptian surprise attack across the Suez Cannel was raging President Nixon executed an operation to make sure the IDF received all the material help possible. In fact the Marine reserve A4-E Squadron I was scheduled to fly with at NAS South Weymouth had their entire squadron shipped to Israel.
Nixon at the time was quoted that he would do whatever necessary to save Israel–and he was alleged to have also quipped that he would never get any credit. The tide of battle turned and Israel was saved by their warriors and establishing Air Dominance was one of the keys to that victory.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Nickel_Grass
Then President Carter recognized the need to bring Egypt along in a peace process. He also gave away American Fighters this time the F-4 to Egypt. As a representative of the Office of Net Assessment/OSD and CIA–I interviewed some of the USAF Squadrons involved in the transfer and I gleaned some fascinating insights into the Egyptian Fighter pilot community.
President Carter said go and the USAF went and turned over the Phantom II.
http://www.31stfightergroup.com/historical_31st/vietnam_files/projectpharaoh.htm
Because of the actions of both Nixon and Carter using American tactical aircraft as instruments of global diplomacy President Obama has an historical precedent for immediately transferring 20 F-22 Raptors to the Israeli Air Force.
If the President would show strategic vision to help Israel and it would also be good for America. “The PRC Claim to Super-Power Status and the F-22: Not so fast!”
https://www.sldinfo.com/?p=10811
“This is because the F-22 was always envisioned in partnership with the revolutionary F-35 (https://www.sldinfo.com/?p=7742) Globally that Hi-Hi mix of 5th Generation Fighters the F-22 and F-35 have the ability to dominate the sky for a generation (see https://www.sldinfo.com/?p=341).”
Prudence dictates that the decision to terminate F-22 production be re-examined. Rather than funding public works projects with uncertain benefit for U.S. public interests, funding the F-22 re-enforces the US industrial base and provides the potential for exports. The President has called for doubling the value of U.S. exports, a process surely aided by resuming F-22 production.”
Giving 20 Raptors on an urgent basis to Israel begins that entire process.