The Air Force’s Thunderbirds air demonstration team flew its acceptance show on March 11 at Nellis AFB, Nev., for Gen. William Fraser, Air Combat Command boss. Fraser subsequently gave the approval for the squadron to commence its 2010 show season that kicks off March 20-21 at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., and will see the Thunderbirds fly 73 shows throughout the US and Canada through November. “The acceptance show is the culmination of the hard work and dedication by our entire team throughout the training season—from November to March,” said Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, the Thunderbirds’ new commander. The show lasted one hour, after which Fraser greeted the Thunderbird officers on the flightline and later addressed the entire Thunderbirds squadron in the unit’s auditorium. (Nellis report by Amn. Cynthia A. Haughton)
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…