Red Flag training exercise 08-04 kicked off yesterday at Nellis AFB, Nev., and will run through Aug. 22. This iteration of the nation’s premier annual air combat training event includes the first participation of the Indian and South Korean air forces. The Indians brought their SU-30MKI multirole fighters, while the South Koreans have flown in their new F-15Ks. French Rafale fighters are also participating, along with USAF C-17s, E-3 AWACS, EC-130s, F-15s, F-16s, and KC-135s. Navy EA-6Bs are also included as are French C-130s and Indian IL-76/78 tankers.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.