President Obama has nominated Lt. Gen. John Hyten for assignment as 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) commander at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., announced the Pentagon on Wednesday. He has been Air Force Space Command’s vice commander at Peterson AFB, Colo., since May 2012. To succeed Hyten, Obama has tapped Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, states the March 20 release. She has led 14th AF since January 2011.
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…