Jumper Sees Iraqi Need for US 
Airpower: Gen. John P. Jumper predicts that Iraq will need on-call US airpower longer than it will need US ground forces. The Chief of Staff, who retires Sept. 2, told reporters Iraqi forces will “require the support from the air until they’re able to set up their own ability to support themselves.” Jumper added, “That’s going to take a while, even after some future withdrawal of [US] ground forces.”
The Air Force conducted its first test of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile in 2026 on March 3, launching an unarmed missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., equipped with two test reentry vehicles at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time.