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.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.