The House Armed Services strategic forces panel want to prohibit the Air Force from retiring its high-flying U-2 reconnaissance aircraft indefinitely “unless” the Pentagon certifies that it does not need the U-2 to fill in any of the intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance “gaps identified” in the 2005 QDR. The panel’s 2007 defense budget markup statement was not the first expression of Congressional concern over the U-2 plan. Rep. Curt Weldon, chairman House Armed Services tacair panel, questioned the move in early April, saying he had received indication that combatant commanders had some reservations.
Two ‘Non-Hostile’ Deaths Raise Iran War Toll to 23
Oct. 30, 2026
Two Airmen who were supporting the U.S. conflict against Iran died this month in “non-hostile” incidents, according to official figures recently released by the Pentagon.