Among the aircraft participating in the 81st iteration of Cope North, which concludes Feb. 19, are USAF B-52 bombers and F-16 aggressors, US Navy EA-6B electronic attack aircraft, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2s and E-2s. US and Japanese forces have engaged in the annual two-week exercise, which stages out of Andersen AFB, Guam, since 1978. The B-52s are deployed to Andersen from Barksdale AFB, La., as part of a normal strategic presence rotation to the Pacific. The F-16 aggressor force is from Eielson AFB, Alaska. (From Andersen, Feb. 10 photo release, Feb. 11 photo release, and Feb. 15 photo release)
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…