The Air Force’s plans to install new engines on its fleet of E-8C Joint STARS ground-surveillance aircraft reportedly may fall victim to other funding priorities. So reported the Warner Robins Patriot Aug. 13. According to the newspaper, officials with the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins AFB, Ga., the service’s only Joint STARS unit, are anxiously awaiting the outcome of a decision on the project, which they say is essential to keep the heavily used aircraft viable in coming years. Continue
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.