Expressing cautious optimism that Congress will finally acquiesce to USAF retiring the B-52s it wants to let go of, Air Force Secretary Wynne said Monday at the AFA conference in Washington, “Even the most ardent supporters of the B-52 agree that the real answer” to a healthy long-range strike requirement “is a system beyond” the current fleet. He said “support in Congress is gaining” for retiring a good portion of the B-52 fleet.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
