The Air Force won’t stop building “basic” MQ-1 Predators for a while, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley said. Moseley told reporters at AFA’s Air & Space Conference Monday that USAF will buy MQ-1s and their more powerful cousins, the MQ-9 Reapers, simultaneously. The basic Predators are needed to “flesh out” unmanned aircraft squadrons—especially Air Guard units—that have been waiting while units in US Central Command get priority. The aircraft are needed both to provide capability and get a larger training capability rolling.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…