Eight airmen were injured last week at Nellis AFB, Nev., when an outdoor shelter that shades aircraft on the flight line collapsed under the force of extreme winds. The airmen suffered minor injuries, were evacuated to the base hospital for treatment, and subsequently discharged, according to a Nellis release. Eleven F-16s and two A-10s were in individual bays under the canopy at the time. Nellis officials said the incident is under investigation and they are assessing the full extent of the damage to the aircraft and other items. They described the Sept 8 event as a microburst—a sudden, violent downdraft of air over a small area. The base experienced wind gusts as high as 67 miles per hour that day, reported the Las Vegas Sun.
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…