According to Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), the 2007 defense appropriations bill contains “supportive language” to encourage the Air Force to resurrect its B-52 Standoff Jammer program. USAF had cancelled the SOJ program because it became too expensive through requirements creep. Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley said earlier this week that he had put the SOJ back in the future years defense plan, but he would not hesitate to kill it again should its cost soar out of control.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
