First we had the headline from the Great Falls Tribune, “Air Force confirms MANG to lose F-15s” which was first announced by Congressman Denny Rehberg and first posted here at The Western Word.

Then in the Sunday paper, we had the “symbolic” editorial from the Tribune brass, “Community, delegation need to fight for MANG missions.”

While there’s sadness in Great Falls, Montana, there’s joy in Fresno, California.

I would be shirking my duties as a columnist/blogger if I did not take an in-depth look at the Tribune editorial. So today is part one of a two part column about that editorial.

Some of the basis for the Tribune editorial comes from the angle of waste of money. While complaining about the loss of the F-15s and using the waste of money as the basis is fine and a pretty easy argument if you look at how much money the government has wasted, especially over the last couple of years.

But, if you look at the history of the military, they do things like this and don’t look twice. Of course, the Air Force is looking at the “big picture” and “years down the road” and the “whole country” and not just at this little “flyover” spot on the map called Great Falls, Montana.

I figured out there was waste in the military very early in my military career. I doubt the members of the editorial board actually served in the military, so this angle would be like reading fiction to them.

As a young airman I was placed on the painting crew to kill time between basic training and technical training. We had no paint rags. The senior non-commissioned officer broke open a brand new box of extra large uniforms and we used them as paint rags. I remember him saying something like “fat people wear these and we don’t have fat people in the Air Force.”

That was on a small scale. Read on…

How about spending $50-$100 million to bed down a new refueling wing (building new modern facilities) and then moving it to Florida a few years later (and reopening a closed runway there) all because (rumors say) retired generals could catch a hop easier for their golf outings? Who cares if the salt air damages the planes or if there’s more congestion in the airspace? Florida had more clout than Montana. So does California, where the F-15s are heading.

Those multi-million dollar hangars are now used for change of command ceremonies, retirements, and by non-flying units. They also make a good place to park vehicles.

Or how about some high-ranking Colonels ordering their civil engineers to sign off on and accept new base housing from a sleazy contractor, even though they had been briefed that the housing was substandard. I think that was about a $6-$10 million waste at least. The cost continues today.

Yes, there’s plenty of waste in the history of the Department of Defense. I’m sure my fellow veterans could tell a story or two.

Secondly, the Tribune Editorial Board talks about it being political. That is a correct assumption. They mention Senator Jon Tester and his statement that it will cost about $66 million to move the jets.

By the way, how are those votes and endorsement for Jon Tester looking to you now, Cascade County residents and Tribune editorial board? Since he’s been a senator, one-fourth of the missile mission at Malmstrom is gone (plus the jobs) and now the F-15s are leaving (more jobs), and that’s all in less than four years.

As I have written before, the Montana Congressional delegation has no leverage or clout. When I read the Tribune Editorial Board saying they will need the leverage of Max Baucus because of his seniority on the Senate Finance Committee, I had to spit out my morning coffee to laugh.

What military committees does the Senate Finance Committee control? Bueller? Bueller?

Baucus’ big claim to fame with the Montana military is that in 2005 he was in such a hurry to get some publicity about opening the Malmstrom runway that he could not wait until the House had passed the bill to announce it. Baucus said, “It’s a done deal.” But the language had not passed the House. This was also when people actually read the bills. The House made him remove it. He was left with egg on his face. The runway remains closed.

Malmstrom and the Guard are just spots on the schedule for Baucus to visit during election time, but if he can get just a little publicity, he’ll show up for pictures.

Later this week, I’ll write more about the Tribune editorial and boldly write about the Central Montana Defense Alliance. I’ll also give my ideas on how to enhance the efforts to bring missions to the Great Falls area. If Great Falls is, as the Tribune says “…ready to put up a helluva fight” then part two will be great reading (after the hurt feelings subside).

In the meantime, better get those F-15s scheduled for their final Cat/Griz flyover.