What the Air Force can learn from New Coke
May 14, 2014
Categories:
DoD
In the mid-1980s, Coca-Cola retired the formula for its classic soft drink in a bid to modernize its image. “New Coke” was an unmitigated and costly disaster, forcing the company to bring back the preferred original drink just three months later.
In much the same way, the Air Force wants to retire a beloved aircraft unmatched in its ability to protect ground forces from attack and replace it with an upstart fighter jet that experts agree can’t compare to the original.
The difference is, the worst thing consumers got from New Coke is a bad taste in their mouths. If the Air Force is allowed to scrap the A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately called the Warthog, our men and women in uniform could be placed in harm’s way.
The Warthog is the only Air Force aircraft designed specifically to provide ground forces with close air support. Nothing else in the military fleet can replicate its capabilities – no jet, helicopter, fighter or bomber can safely fly low and slow enough to precisely target enemies that are 10 yards away from civilians and friendlies.
Because of this, the A-10 has been overwhelmingly successful in saving lives, winning battles, and reducing devastating “friendly fire” events.
Nevertheless, the Air Force is determined to wipe out the plane in a short-sighted effort to cut costs – even though there are other ways to save money without putting the lives of service members in jeopardy.
To learn more, go to www.afge.org/DefendOurJobs.
