The 
continued grounding of the majority of the F-15 fleet has caused defense officials to reconsider limiting the purchase of new F-22A Raptors to just 183. Jim Wolf of Reuters got an unnamed “senior Defense Department official” to confirm that “the grounding of F-15s is focusing attention on the issue at high levels.” Lockheed Martin said in September that it would need to see money in the 2009 budget if it is to keep the production line open beyond the 183 to be procured through 2011. Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute told Wolf that “insiders” have indicated the money will be there.
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.
