At last word, the tanker analysis of alternatives is still under review, but the Air Force went ahead and issued a request for information last Friday from companies that might want to participate in a tanker competition. Leading Air Force critic, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, reacted quickly, sending a letter of complaint to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Wednesday. The Air Force has withdrawn the RFI, which Air Force spokesman Col. Chris Geisel called “a bit premature,” according to Reuters news service. Read more in “The Tanker Blame Game” in September’s Air Force Magazine.
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…