The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Fighter Wing at Richmond, Va., plans to fly its last training sorties in the F-16 Viper on June 20, marking the occasion with a special aerial event. Many of the wing’s airmen already have transitioned to operating and maintaining the F-22A Raptor as the 192nd becomes an associate unit to the active duty 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va. Some of the Air Guardsmen deployed to the Pacific region when the Raptor force made its first overseas trip.
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…