US Air Force officials say that three C-130s delivered more than 41,000 pounds of earthquake relief supplies to Pakistan from Dec. 23-30. They estimate that USAF and contract aircraft have flown in more than 10 million pounds of supplies since the earthquake struck the area in October.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.