'Buy the Best' is better than 'Buy America'

摘要

Having spent 34-plus years in the U.S. Marine Corps and having fought for just about every Marine aviation program has provided me with a concern that every one we select be the very best possible, not only for this great country but also for every individual who steps foot into the aircraft, either as a passenger or crewmember. When a pilot (and for sure this one) straps himself or herself into an aircraft, one concern trumps all others: the quality and performance of the aircraft. An aviator does not consider where the wings were made or how many Americans constructed the engines, rather the concern is just that the aircraft is reliable and powerful enough to sustain flight, and that it is the very best available for the mission.