The operation that began in the US shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks has flown 46,300 sorties as of Aug. 1, according to data from 1st Air Force at Tyndall AFB, Fla. And, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command aircrews have flown the majority of those sorties. (For more about ONE, read “The Years of Noble Eagle.”
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…