Sad state of affairs ... Thx Ralph H!

sad state of affairs

Subject: Air Force Expert on Benghazi

       "Hands" Handley is a well-respected USAF fighter pilot.
Here is his short resume of accomplishments.
           Colonel Phil "Hands" Handley is credited with the highest
speed air- to-air gun kill in the history of aerial combat. He flew
operationally for all but 11 months of a 26-year career, in aircraft
such as the F-86 Sabre, F-15 Eagle, and the C-130A Hercules.
Additionally, he flew 275 combat missions during two tours in
Southeast Asia in the F- 4D and F-4E. His awards include 21 Air
Medals, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Silver Star.

         
       Here is what Col. Handley wrote in response to Panetta and
Dempsey's claims there was no time to send help to Benghazi.

           ----------------------------------------------

           
           Betrayal in Benghazi

           Phil "Hands" Handley Colonel, USAF (Ret.)
           
           The combat code of the US Military is that we don't
abandon our dead or wounded on the battlefield. In US Air Force
lingo, fighter pilots don't run off and leave their wingmen. If one
of our own is shot down, still alive and not yet in enemy captivity,
we   will either come to get him or die trying.
           
           Among America 's fighting forces, the calm, sure
knowledge that such an irrevocable bond exists is priceless. Along
with individual faith and personal grit, it is a sacred trust that
has often sustained hope in the face of terribly long odds.
           
           The disgraceful abandonment of our Ambassador and those
brave ex-SEALs who fought to their deaths to save others in that
compound is nothing short of dereliction-of-duty.
           
           Additionally, the patently absurd cover-up scenario that
was fabricated in the aftermath was an outright lie in an attempt to
shield the President and the Secretary of State from responsibility.
           
           It has been over eight months since the attack on our
compound in Benghazi . The White House strategy, with the aid of a
"lap dog" press has been to run out the clock before the truth is
forthcoming.
           The recent testimonies of the three "whistle blowers"
have reopened the subject and hopefully will lead to exposure and
disgrace of those responsible for this embarrassing debacle. It would
appear that the most recent firewall which the Administration is
counting on is the contention "that there were simply no military
assets that could be brought to bear in time to make a difference"
mainly due to the unavailability of tanker support for fighter
aircraft.
           
           This is simply BS, regardless how many supposed "experts"
the Administration trot out to make such an assertion.
           
           The bottom line is that even if the closest asset capable
of response was half-way around the world, you don't just sit on your
penguin ass and do nothing.
           
           The fact is that the closest asset was not half-way
around the world, but as near as Aviano Air Base, Italy where two
squadrons of F-16Cs are based.
           
           Consider the following scenario (all times Benghazi
local): When Hicks in Tripoli receives a call at 9:40 PM from
Ambassador Stevens informing him "Greg, we are under attack!" (his
last words), Hicks immediately notifies all agencies and prepares for
the immediate initiation of an existing "Emergency Response Plan."
           
           At AFRICON, General Carter Ham attempts to mount a rescue
effort, but is told to "stand down". By 10:30 PM an unarmed drone is
overhead the compound and streaming live feed to various "Command and
Control Agencies" so everyone watching that feed knew damn well what
was going on.
           
           At 11:30 PM Woods, Doherty and five others leave Tripoli,
arriving in Benghazi at 1:30 AM on Wednesday morning, where they hold
off the attacking mob from the roof of the compound until they are
killed by a mortar direct hit at 4:00 AM.
           
           So nothing could have been done, eh? Nonsense. If one
assumes that tanker support really "was not available" what about
this:
           
           When at 10:00 PM AFRICON alerts the 31st TFW Command Post
in Aviano Air Base, Italy of the attack, the Wing Commander orders
preparation for the launch of two F-16s and advises the Command Post
at NAS Sigonella to prepare for hot pit refueling and quick turn of
the jets.
           
           By 11:30 PM, two F-16Cs with drop tanks and each armed
with five hundred 20 MM rounds are airborne. Flying at 0.92 mach they
will cover the 522 nautical miles directly to NAS Sigonella in 1.08
hours. While in-route, the flight lead is informed of the tactical
situation, rules of engagement, and radio frequencies to use.
           
           The jets depart Sigonella at 1:10 AM with full fuel load
and cover the 377 nautical miles directly to Benghazi in 0.8 hours,
arriving at 1:50 AM which would be 20 minutes after the arrival of
Woods, Doherty and their team.
           
           Providing that the two F-16s initial pass over the mob,
in full afterburner at 200 feet and 550 knots did not stop the attack
in its tracks, a few well placed strafing runs on targets of
opportunity would assuredly do the trick.
           
           Were the F-16s fuel state insufficient to return to
Sigonelli after jettisoning their external drop tanks, they could
easily do so at Tripoli International Airport , only one-half hour
away.
           
           As for those hand-wringing naysayers who would worry
about IFR clearances, border crossing authority, collateral damage,
landing rights, political correctness and dozens of other reasons not
to act -- screw them. It is time our "leadership" get its priorities
straight and put America's interests first.
           
           The end result would be that Woods and Doherty would be
alive. Dozens in the attacking rabble would be rendezvousing with "72
virgins" and a clear message would have been sent to the next
worthless POS terrorist contemplating an attack on Americans that it
is not really a good idea to "tug" on Superman's cape.
           
           Of course all this depends upon a Commander In Chief more
concerned with saving the lives of those he put in harm's way than
getting his crew rested for a campaign fund raising event in Las
Vegas the next day. It also depends upon a Secretary of State who
actually understood "What difference did it make?", and a Secretary
of Defense who was watching the feed from the drone and understood
what the attack consisted of instead of making an immediate response
that "One of the military tenants is that you don't commit assets
until you fully understand the tactical situation."
           
           YGBSM!
           
           Ultimately it comes down to the question of who gave that
order to stand down? Whoever that coward turns out to be should be
exposed, removed from office, and face criminal charges for
dereliction of duty. The combat forces of the Untied States of
America deserve leadership that really does "have their back" when
the chips are down.

           
           
           FOR THOSE OF YOU HAVE ACTUALLY TAKEN THE TIME TO READ
THIS, DO ONE THING FOR ME AND FORWARD IT TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!  TO
AVOID THIS HAPPENING  AGAIN, WHOMEVER GAVE THE "STAND DOWN" ORDER
NEEDS TO BE EXPOSED!