Airmen at Aviano AB, Italy, get little chance to practice their skills at night flying because the Italians insist the base keeps its F-16s in their nests from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., according to the Stars and Stripes. The newspaper reports that the situation is not all that unusual throughout European bases, although the time periods may vary. Aviano officials say the rules don’t really affect their readiness. They work around the restrictions, and the Italians do permit them a few weeks of night flying in the summer.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
