Turkey wants to buy a squadron of USAF F-16 Vipers, a move that could spell an end to the planned upgrade of 48 F-4E fighter aircraft by Israel, according to Turkish Daily News. (It’s neighbor and sometimes nemesis, Greece, late last year said it would buy 30 more F-16s, with an option for another 10.) What effect this proposed purchase would have on Ankara’s deliberations to buy either the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter or the Eurofighter or a combination of the two is unclear. Turkey is a partner in the F-35s system development and demonstration phase, but has not announced its intent to purchase the JSF.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.