Lockheed Martin officials said Friday at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando that the first two production F-35A strike fighters slated for delivery to the training wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., later this year, are in final assembly at the company’s Fort Worth, Tex., facility. Per a company release, Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed’s VP of F-35 Business Development and Customer Engagement, said, “The F-35 provides best value in a package that not only deters hostilities but enhances interoperability.” According to a Government Executive report, Pentagon acquisition chief Ash Carter last week was upbeat about Lockheed’s assistance with the F-35 restructuring plan.
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…