The Air Force plans to fly for the first time a B-52 bomber powered by a mix of synthetic and standard JP-8 aviation fuel on Sept. 19. The service already plans to purchase 100 million gallons of synthetic fuel over the next year and has set its sights on achieving a 50 percent reduction in its use of standard aviation fuel by 2016. Ground tests have demonstrated that the synthetic fuel does not affect engine performance, so the Air Force expects the BUFF to fly.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…