The in-flight depressurization of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 over Arizona earlier this month prompted the Air Force to inspect its C-40B executive transports assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews AFB, Md. The inspectors found these aircraft, based on the 737, to be in excellent condition, reported CNN. The C-40Bs are significantly newer than the 737-300 model involved in the Southwest incident, according to CNN. Stress fatigue from repeated pressurization caused a 737’s fuselage joint to fail, tearing a five-foot gap in the aircraft’s skin and necessitating an emergency landing at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona on April 1.
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…