The outgoing chairman of the House Armed Services Committee has the answer to what ails operations in Iraq and he calls it “Go Iraqi.” In a new statement, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), says, “More troops is the answer in Baghdad, but they don’t have to be American troops.” Hunter now believes it is time to send “all of the trained Iraqi battalions into the fight.” He says that 27 of these trained battalions are stationed in the most peaceful areas. Hunter also notes that “nothing matures a military unit quicker than being deployed into actual combat operations.” Reportedly among options currently under review at the Pentagon is one to deploy more American forces, and at least one key Republican, Sen. John McCain, believes that is a must for the short term.
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
