The Air Force can get seven combat-coded F-22 squadrons out of 183 aircraft, Gen. Michael Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff, told reporters. That is not enough to cover all 10 Air and Space Expeditionary Forces. However, Wynne explained that some of the later-vintage F-15Es and F-16s would still be around to fill out the 10 AEFs. The later F-15s have some “phenomenal” capabilities that will allow them to “partner” with the Raptors, Wynne said. Moseley added that J-UCAS—the joint unmanned combat aerial vehicle—is coming along, as are even more advanced combat UAVs.
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…
