The Upper Ranks Rank

While the grunts fight and die, the brass drink and fly.

David Hackworth on the yet another abuse in Iraq:

“I recall one day we had 17 C-130s operating in Iraq, and 14 were picked off by the DV folks,” roars a senior airman. “Little if any cargo was flown that day. I understand there’s not many ways for a general to visit Iraq because these aircraft are the only ones with defensive countermeasures, but there are inventions called the Internet (e-mail), phones and media teleconferences. I am not sure if anyone on high questions whether these VIP boondoggles are necessary.”

“The worst crap was when Central Command would schedule a C-130, then find another ride for their VIP and not tell anyone,” reports a blue-suiter in Qatar. “They wouldn’t cancel the C-130 mission because if their shady deal fell through, they’d have the C-130 as backup. They would then jet off on their alternate ride and not show up for the C-130. Since it takes about a day to get the cargo planned for the C-130 and also to get the crew in crew-rest prior to the mission, there was nothing we could do with the aircraft. It just sat on the strip ... a wasted asset!”

“The problem that frequently arises is despite the cargo backlog, CENTCOM generals keep picking off C-130s to fly for ‘grip and grins,’ good old boys’ get-togethers,” reports another justifiably upset warrior.

Fantastic.