The Senate Armed Services Committee on Feb. 5 opted to OK the nominations of William Lynn for the No. 2 defense post, Michele Flournoy for defense policy, Robert Hale for comptroller, and Jeh Charles Johnson for general counsel, according to various news reports. There are lingering questions over Lynn’s nomination—primarily because of his ties to defense contractor Raytheon—that could prompt one or more Senators to block his confirmation on the Senate floor. However, Associated Press reports that Lynn wrote to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) that he would opt out of decisions on the “handful” of programs he worked on for Raytheon.
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…