Looking forward to a stealth flyover

Roberta Medford writes (“Keep bombers away from Rose Parade”, Dec. 18) to criticize the U.S. Air Force’s flyover of a B-2 stealth bomber in Pasadena’s Rose Parade. In contrast, I applaud and look forward to it playing an inspiring role in celebrating the coming new year.

The B-2 holds a vital role in protecting freedom in the skies — here in America and throughout the world.

Contrary to her assertion that the B-2 “is an instrument of aggression that kills indiscriminately by sneak attack from afar,” the B-2 is one of the most discriminating, precise and accurate weapons of war developed so far. It was designed to deeply penetrate and destroy, without detection, the most hardened and heavily defended enemy installations.

It uses advanced cruise missiles, “smart bombs” and other precision and maritime missiles guided by global satellite positioning systems.

The B-2 bomber was significant in military efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and most recently in Libya, helping eliminate the evil tyranny of Muammar Gaddafi.

Medford is correct that it strikes “by sneak attack from afar.” Good! That saves the lives of U.S. Air Force pilots. I doubt she would prefer otherwise.

While Medford describes the B-2 as “a total waste in a time of shortages,” I wonder if the tens of thousands of military and civilian employees (including Grumman, Raytheon, Boeing, General Electric, Vought Aircraft and even more subcontractors) who’ve built and maintained our B-2s would agree.

The Rose Parade appearance is but one of the public events the U.S. Air Force regularly performs every year, all within its planned budget, approved by Congress and signed by the president.

Medford describes the Rose Parade fly-over as “an inappropriate spectacle” and reveals her sympathy for the “Occupy” demonstrations. So be it. Let her and other dissidents continue to “occupy” Wall Street, UC Berkeley, the Port of Los Angeles or the Rose Parade.

As for me, I will occupy the morning of the Rose Parade by watching one of our B-2s fly over head and then render a salute and quietly thank the lord for the protection and vigilance the U.S. military provides for our nation and its freedom — including B-2 stealth bombers.

Allen Brandstater

Glendale