Flying in a hostile environment offers no protection, according to Hawley. There are no fields or forests to provide cover and concealment. Pilots must go into battle in full view of their enemies. Only their own skills and training give them an edge over the enemy, To meet these challenges, Hawley said the Expeditionary Aerospace Force concept can go great lengths in alleviating the current problems faced by the Air Force. According to the general, the F-22 Raptor will play a key role in the application of future aerospace forces.
Air dominance grows more difficult to achieve as modern weapons proliferate around the globe.
The general's speech made an impact on the audience, especially to those who are not around the military every day. Linda Caruso, director of technology at the privately funded Monarch School in Houston, said she came away from the speech feeling there was a general lack of support for military people and programs that needs to be addressed and fixed by Congress. Caruso also said she now understands why the F-22 Raptor program is important to her. But when it's explained that the airplane is going to cut the amount of time someone is in combat, protect the pilots there who are our children, friends and neighbors, it gives you a much better understanding why the money needs to be spent. Some of the children from Monarch in attendance for the speech said they now wanted to join the Air Force, so they could be F-22 pilots.