There’s something odd about the Air Force’s just released 2008 unfunded priority list and its two latest supplemental funding requests—they duplicate requests for some aircraft. Air Force spokesperson Maj. Dayan Araujo confirmed yesterday that the UPL and the 2007 spring supplemental and 2008 global war on terror supplemental include requests for the same 20 C-130Js. Araujo explained in response to query that USAF “used the UPL to re-emphasize this high priority need to Congress.” She went on to say the same applies to five CV-22s that are found in the UPL and 2008 supplemental. Again, it was a case of “reinforcing the urgency of this requirement,” said Araujo.
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…