Swear to God, this is a true story. In 1991, a buddy of mine and I went down to SoCal and into Mexico. We drove down to Ensenada in a rental car and stayed a couple of days in a resort near the beach. One day, we went out foraging for food (the local cuisine was risky, so we went looking for Pop-Tarts and such packaged up in Gringoland). We drove by an airfield populated with some of the most decrepit looking airplanes I've ever seen. Thirty-year-old Cessnas with rust spots and such. Makes and models of aircraft I've never seen before, all looking in dire need of maintenance. I pointed to the field and jokingly said to my friend "Mexican Air Force." We both cracked up. Then we passed the front gate. It had two Mexican soldiers standing guard and the sign said (in Spanish) 'Mexican Air Force'...
According to Wiki, The Mex AF's most potent weapon is ten old F-5s http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Air_Force
India- overpopulated with a strong military. Australia: underpopulated with lots of resources, a weak military, and a long way (logistically) from the rest of the British Commonwealth. See any cause for concern on a strategic level? Bailey?
(To the spirit and tone of Beowulf) In the spirit of this thread, I tell the story of a legend long dead. Bug Roach was this man's name A name known to Navy LSO fame If you needed a nugget talked aboard the ship Bug was your man, he had the gift. I met Bug in '88 When I was a nugget neophyte NAS Miramar was the place to be Naval Air was my destiny. Bug had flown in Vietnam F-8 Crusaders; fighter weapons school Bug defined the meaning of cool CAG LSO of Navy reknown When Bug was paddles, he'd talk you down The best story he ever told Was his own path To Wings of Gold Like many from his generation Bug was old school, from Yankee Station One Sunday morn, Midshipman Roach watched the launch of the dawn patrol Two Scooters, A-4's by name Of Naval Aviation fame Pulled onto the runway, ready to roll But before they launched, one task remained: A canopy opened, and the pilot unnamed blew his cookies, and saved his name from the scorn of hangover's shame Then, his morning task complete this Naval Aviator from the fleet re-donned his helmet, and adjusted his seat. Canopy closed, and clearance received, He went Zone V, and launched to sea For Bug, it was an epiphany. In that moment Bug Roach knew Exactly what he had to do Come hell or high water, now or never His road was Naval Air forever So he came to Miramar Crusaders, Tomcats, Scooters, and more. He did it right He reigned supreme He fought the fight He lived the dream He inspired us to be like him A leader, a rock, through thick and thin So now, think upon my woe The day I donned my Wings of Gold To learn that Bug had met his end Flying the Scooter so long his friend He died doing what he loved Teaching those who soar above Teaching us to do it right Teaching us the way to fight Fangs out is the way to go Bug's the guy who taught us so And when it's time to trap at sea Bug's legacy is OK3. So we hoist a drink to you, dear Bug We're gonna miss your ugly mug When God made you, He broke the mold You exemplified the Wings of Gold. -J. Marso, 2007.
