The next rotation of US aircraft to the Philippines arrived June 15, as a group of Navy EA-18G Growlers landed at Clark Air Base from NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. The four aircraft and about 120 personnel are part of a US Pacific Command air contingent established in April “to promote interoperability and security cooperation,” according to a Pacific Air Forces release. The first rotation of US aircraft to the country, a group of A-10s and HH-60G Pave Hawks, finished their deployment in late April. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, in announcing the deployment, said US aircraft will participate in patrols of the South China sea in addition to training in the region.
Roughly two of every five fighters in the Air Force fleet could be F-35As by 2035, according to a new fighter force structure report the service submitted to Congress on Oct. 16. Lt. Gen. David Tabor, deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, revealed the new estimate during an…