The Air Force has announced the other initial beddown locations for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter—it named Eglin AFB, Fla., in August as the site for primary maintenance and flight training. A news release lists the new operational locations—all to be a mix of active and reserve forces—as Hill AFB, Utah, Kadena AB, Japan, and Shaw AFB/McEntire ANGB, S.C. Test locations are Edwards AFB, Calif., and Nellis AFB, Nev. USAF now begins the environmental assessments for each locations, a process that could take up to two years. The service expects to begin receiving F-35s in 2009.
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…