The first MC-12W Liberty Project aircraft, an Air Force manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance plane, arrives at Key Field Air National Guard Base in Meridian, Miss., on April 28. By Senior Master Sgt. Richard Davis, U.S. Air ForceFrom USA Today:
WASHINGTON — The Air Force has failed to deploy new spy planes to Afghanistan and Iraq even though Defense Secretary Robert Gates has made it a priority to rush the aircraft to troops in combat, according to interviews with military officials and documents.
Gates is concerned that the delivery of the planes to Afghanistan will be "out of synch" with 21,000 troops being sent there by President Obama for a summer offensive against Taliban insurgents, said Geoff Morrell, a Pentagon spokesman. The planes are two to three months behind schedule, according to the Air Force. "The bottom line is that Secretary Gates is impatient when it comes to getting war fighters the tools they need to be successful," Morrell said.
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My Comment: These planes will be effective in tracking insurgents at night .... especially targeting those who plant IEDs at night. Everyday that these tools are not in operation .... U.S., Allied, and Afghan lives are in danger. Under these conditions, I can understand and sympathize with Sec. of Defense Gates impatience with this delay in delivery.
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