According to Brig. Gen. Stephen Hoog, the two F-16 Vipers engaged for the strike on Abu Musab al Zarqawi’s safe house (see above) had been flying a routine search operation for improvised explosive devices, which typically includes two or more aerial refuelings over the course of a six-hour mission. The fighters were part of what he termed an “air umbrella,” comprising 20 different types of aircraft all day, every day. Hoog said, “On average, we fly enough strike assets every day to fly around the world four and a half times if they flew in a straight line.” The key to this air umbrella, noted Hoog, is that it is there “all the time, ready to be tasked as needed.”
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
