The Air Force has released a statement declaring that the problem that prompted the service to interrupt the deployment of 12 F-22A Raptors to the Japanese island of Okinawa last week should be fixed “within the next several days.” A 13th Air Force spokesman told Daily Report on Monday that multiple aircraft in the flight from Hickam AFB, Hawaii, had experienced a navigational software glitch, prompting their return to Hickam. In a Feb. 14 statement, Lt. Gen. Loyd Utterback, 13th AF commander, calls the problem “a minor issue.” He said safety concerns always take precedence.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.