Japan’s cabinet has approved the use of about 200 air force support elements in Iraq through July 31, 2008. In May, Japanese legislators passed a measure that would permit the airlift mission to continue for another two years.
The crews of the two-ship F-15E formation that stared down the leading edge of Iran’s massive aerial assault against Israel in April 2024 were presented with the Mackay Trophy last week, further cementing their place in Air Force history.


