More 
than 1,600 combined civilian and military personnel from the United States, Singapore, and Thailand are participating in Exercise Cope Tiger 2012 at Korat RTAB, Thailand. The two-week air-combat exercise, which runs through Friday, features field training and large-force air employments. “Our cooperation will not only ensure regional security and stability, but also provide our aircrews and personnel an opportunity to gain valuable insights and build long-lasting relationships that will benefit all nations in this region,” said Col. Marc Caudill, Cope Tiger US exercise director and wing commander. The exercise includes a total of 92 aircraft and 34 air defense units. US aircraft include A-10s, C-17s, C-130, and F-15s. Participating US airmen are from JB Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska; Jacksonville ANGB, Fla., JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Osan AB, South Korea; and Yokota AB, Japan. (Korat report by Capt. David Herndon) (See also second Herndon report.)
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…