Personally for me, I'd prefer to be a Naval Pilot... especially one in an F-35C. Being on an aircraft carrier means you will always be near the global hot spots. Being the only stealth strike fighter on a carrier means you will enter into harm's way... most likely with the first wave.

In addition to this, you're backed up by EA-18Gs which help reduce the enemy's potential radar effectiveness, and your return home is made easier with Superbugs providing top cover with AMRAAMs and buddy stores to get you home.

Air to air combat may also be possible... but since its a team effort for team USA, the USAF's Raptors will do all the work leaving whats left for the F/A-18Fs to mop up. Even so, being in an F-35C, you still have a good edge with having 2 AAMs internally, an LPI AESA, and an HMS.

Using EOTS, you can accurately self target your 2 LGBs, or even 8 SDBs. Heck, using direction from the Growlers, you can plink some enemy Ground Based Radars with 2 JSOWs from a good distance away.

I'm sorry if this sounds like a personal attack on you Skrip....

But have you ever been in a war? Have you ever had someone shoot at you? Have you ever seen the aftermath of what happens to the people you drop bombs on? Have you ever had to point a loaded weapon at someone?
Has anyone ever "shot" at you (I have been)? Have you ever seen anyone die because they've lost or limb or blead to death? (I have, first time circa 74, last time circa 91) There's nothing fun about conflict.

You sound like a gung-ho kid who wants to play an Air Combat Sim....... Who gives a rats a$$ about who you kill because they've been drafted in some numbnutts armed forces. I for one would prefer the US to build up the sort of offensive capability that actually using it would never have to happen.

There's nothing glorious about some politician treating you as a pawn and ordering your a$$ into harms way. When was the last time you've walked Vietnam Memorial and seen families crying after some 30+ years of their loss? The door swings both ways kid, for both sides.

Sorry kid, but you're sorta asking for it this time. The truth of the situation is a lot different then you think it's going to be when someone is *actually* trying to *kill* *you*, or after you've actually see someone die.

While I am *STRONGLY* pro-defense, its only such that its never needed. Period.

Yeah, yeah... blah blah blah, "I'm a troll."

SuperHornet Gets No Lovin'.

F35B, it's better to stop and land, than land and hope to stop. Especially on board !!! My choice is none of the above as the F35B is not listed.

Crap... I totally forgot about the jumpjet jocks.