B-47s

The Feb. 22 Opinion section’s lead piece on the Iraq situation was headed by a photo montage obviously meant to depict our country’s formidable military striking power. The bomber pictured is a B-47, the U.S. Air Force mainstay from 1955 to 1965.

Assuming this is a subtle hint, I can tell you, as a B-47 navigator-bombardier, 1958-1962, we can do the job. However, you should understand that it may take a few days to get our airplanes out of mothballs, and the crew members are in their 60s and 70s. My crew’s pilot is also ready, and the co-pilot says he is pretty much recovered from the triple bypass, and sure, why not.

KENNETH WIKLE

Calabasas