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US Air Force AC-130 gunship unleashed its awesome power against an al Qaeda stronghold in Somalia on Jan. 7, confirmed Pentagon officials Tuesday after the new made headlines around the world. The strike targeted “what we believe to be principal al Qaeda leadership,” Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters. These terrorists may have orchestrated attacks against the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, noted Whitman. Several US naval vessels have moved into waters off Somalia.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…