Pentagon Gets Clue

The Pentagon announced that it has halted all sales of F-14 parts unilaterally. Stunningly, common sense seems to have broken out.

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon said Tuesday it had stopped selling surplus F-14 parts, announcing the step after congressional criticism of security weaknesses that had given buyers for countries including Iran access to the aircraft parts and other valuable gear.

Sales of parts from the recently retired fleet were halted last Friday, Defense Logistics Agency spokesman Jack Hooper said, adding that marketing of the parts will remain suspended until a "comprehensive review" is completed. He did not immediately elaborate.

The decision comes as a Democratic senator moves to cut off all Pentagon sales of surplus F-14 parts, saying the military's marketing of the spares "defies common sense" in light of their importance to Iran.

Smart move so far. Now destroy the parts rather than risk them falling into Iran's hands. That negates the need for any bill to be passed at all on the matter.