Here is a first-person article by The (Olympia, Wash.) Olympian reporter Scott Gutierrez, who flew with aircrews from McChord AFB, Wash., on a trip to Southwest Asia. Gutierrez got to spend a week with the McChord aircrews as they flew cargo into and around the theater, stopping at Balad AB, Iraq, where he visited the combat hospital and spoke with US troops—more upbeat than not—and Iraqis working with the coalition.
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…