Moseley said that, with 183 Raptors, he can “field seven squadrons.” However, it would take changes in the size of squadrons to get seven. At 24 airplanes each (the standard size), seven squadrons would add up to 168 aircraft, leaving just 15 for training, test, servicing, and attrition reserve. The Air Force long insisted it needed 60 just for training. Moseley did not address that discrepancy.
Earlier this spring, the 388th Fighter Wing proved just 12 Airmen can operate an F-35 contingency location, refueling and rearming the fighters at spots across Georgia and South Carolina. The demonstration, part of exercise Agile Flag 23-1, marks yet another proof of concept for the Air Force’s plan to send…