Pacific Air Forces has created a single program integration office—taking over work begun by a slew of teams—to handle the beddown of the new F-22A stealth fighters in Alaska in the near term and Hawaii in the mid term. The PIO staff comprises active duty, Guard, and Reserve airmen, since both reserve components will share in operating and maintaining the F-22. AFRC will form an associate squadron in Alaska, while PACAF will form an active associate squadron to work with the Air National Guard F-22 squadron in Hawaii. Gen. Paul Hester, PACAF commander, said that coordinating plans for these newfound arrangements and an “incredible new aircraft” makes for a “huge undertaking.”
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
