The head of US Air Forces in Europe, Gen. Tom Hobbins, traveled to Bulgaria and Georgia recently, declaring that both countries are “very staunch allies in the war on terror.” He said that both countries, though they “are not fully capable in some aviation areas,” are contributing forces to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo. Maj. Krista Carlos reports that Bulgaria expressed interest in modernizing its air force, in particular gaining new multirole fighters. Hobbins said that Georgia knows it needs to “rid itself of old Russian equipment,” but it has limited resources so plans to take “interim steps.”
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…