The US and Japan are set to start deploying the Patriot anti-missile system on the island’s mainland, along with 600 troops from Ft. Bliss, Tex. The PAC-3 system will be deployed at first on American military sites in Japan, with Japanese officials saying they would deploy them on the Self-Defense Forces bases for the first time by March 2007, the Washington Post reports.
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…