Now and in future conflicts we will wish we had MORE Warthogs, not less or none at all. You can't do close ground support at 400 MPH and F-16 and 15's simply are not as nimble as the A-10 in close quarters.

Kill the Osprey instead, While a technological marvel, its too expensive to make, too complicated to be maintained with the quick turnaround that would be required during a major conflict, and so lightly armed that it has to be escorted by conventional helicopter gunships into a hot LZ. The extra speed it is supposed to use is negated because it cant fly ahead of its armed support. I get the opportunity to see Ospreys almost daily flying over the woods, fields and swamps here in eastern NC. Although I marvel at the technology the aircraft possesses (it is very cool to see it go from forward flight to hover) I think to myself that would it not make more sense to build 4, 5, or 6 armed to the teeth troop carrying CH-53 helis for the same Money?

Or maybe 2 or more A-10's to keep the fear of God in our enemies so they might think twice before engaging our guys and gals on the ground. Enemy troops are scared of the A-10. An Osprey is just target practice for a portable SAM

*** My apologies to any Osprey drivers/crews that might read this. You operators are the best in the world, I just question the bean counters that try to run the military from a spread sheet.***

Be safe,
Zonk