More than a dozen airmen from the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 245th Air Traffic Control Squadron at McEntire JNGB, S.C., deployed to Iraq on Oct. 9. The South Carolina controllers are deploying for six months in conjunction with the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 248th ATCS in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, according to a 169th Fighter Wing release. The approximately 30 airmen will provide precision approach capabilities and air navigation systems so aircraft can navigate and land in bad weather. Lt. Col. Craig Hummel, commander of the 245th ATCS, said the squadron hasn’t been tasked with performing the mission outside of the continental United States in many years, and that it’s “good to know the atrophy hasn’t set in and these people are raring to go,” according to the release.
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…