A recent US Air Forces in Europe news release describes a major thrill for most airmen, getting to fly a hot fighter of another air force. Maj. P.K. Carlton, who was participating in an exchange program at RAF Coningsby, Great Britain, got to fly solo in the RAF’s Typhoon. The USAF F-16 pilot called the flight characteristics of each aircraft similar. The biggest problem for him was the RAF’s different “rules to fly by.”
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…