Drawing the Technology Line, Finally: According to the South Korean Chosun Ilbo, government officials confirmed Thursday that Washington had turned down Seoul’s request to purchase Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles. The export of the RQ-4A Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman’s cutting edge reconnaissance aircraft would have required Congressional sign-off, but the Bush Administration nixed the possibility for fear of transferring key strategic technology. However, according to Seoul, it took Washington six months to let them know.
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…