In a Dec. 22 interview (see above), Gen. Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff, also said the end of F-22 production is “in sight,” saying it should wrap up in a few years. However, he declined to provide a specific number at which to stop production of the stealth fighters since the Air Force is still evaluating the F-22 requirement. He reiterated that 381, the Air Force’s long-term goal—and which he considers a “low risk” inventory—will be supplanted by a “moderate risk” number, but one that is still higher than the current 183-aircraft program of record. The service leadership will submit its recommendation to the new Administration at least a month ahead of the March 1 deadline imposed by Congress for the new White House to certify whether it intends to buy more F-22s. Schwartz acknowledged that Adm. Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was close to the mark when he suggested 60 more F-22s would meet the Air Force’s needs.
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.
