"vincent p. norris" wrote in message
...
The Marines are getting theirs first now? When did that happen?

Astonishing! As O.J. said a day or two ago, the marines always seem
to get the short end of the stick.

For a time, when I was in the marines, 50 years ago, I flew airplanes
that had olive-drab paint under the blue, visible where the blue had
worn off. I took it for granted that the army air corps had given
them to the marines after they had worn them out.

vince norris

The Marines get theirs first as part of a deal worked out first with the
Navy and then with the Air Force. Part of the deal with the Navy was not to
spend aircraft money on new Harriers, or getting the F-18-E/F. This lets
the Navy get the F-18 E/F faster.

In turn the Navy and Marines then made a deal with the Air Force to provide
funds earlier to speed development of the F-35 program (actually more like
allowing it to remain on schedule), with the F-35B production being speeded
up.

Of course I have nothing to back this up except conversations at the O'Club.