Fighter Planes II

8) The "F-22 Raptor" - it's just way cool! The design makes you just stare at it. It has so many capabilites that I can't get in to. It's definitely a step up in fighter design. It was around for a while before the public even knew it existed. Now it's design is used in movies and other tech areas. It is obviously a more "space-age" type fighter. It has already performed in combat areas, and is efficient and highly accurate.

9) The "B-1 Bomber" - I mention this one because it's my fathers favorite.  I took him to an air show when I was working in Colorado Springs.  He saw this one up close, both flying and on the ground. As I mentioned before, my father was a marine. But I know he would have been at home in the Air Force.  He loves military planes. The B-1 is sleek looking, and aerodynamic. He said it looked just like an oversized fighter plane. It is capable of extremely high altitude flight, and is target accurate. It can carry an assortment of weapons, and can perform many types of missions. And, as my father said, it looks cool!

10) The "Apache" helicopter -- yes, I know it's not a plane. But I just have to mention it. It's fighting capabilities are already legendary. It's support of ground troops is A+. It's targeting and imaging systems are outstanding. It's guns are scary!  The enemy does not want to confront one of these up close.  I wouldn't either.

11) The "KC-9 Medical Transport" - I've ridden in one of these on a few occasions. It's mission is obvious.  It picks up or drops off personnel that need medical treatment or facilities while on board and takes them to where they can get care. It has saved many, many lives. It does not take part in battle, as it is marked with the medical cross.

12) The "KC-135 Tanker" - Planes travelling great distances won't get very far without a refill from this plane. It obviously extends the fighters strike capabilities to much greater distances.  We wouldn't get a lot of things done without these planes and their crews.

13) The "F-35_ - a new addition to the arsenal. I do not even know the magnitude of its capabilities, as it was brought out after I retired. But I do know that it was designed to be the next air superiority fighter. What I have heard about it so far is quite admirable.