Aircrews and F-16s at Misawa AB, Japan, recently tested their ability to rapidly deploy and set up operations through a training deployment to nearby Kadena Air Base. Maintenance airmen and pilots with the 35th Fighter Wing on March 23 rapidly checked out and launched their aircraft in a simulated contingency operation as part of exercise Beverly Sunrise 16-03, according to a Misawa release. The operational readiness exercise included all squadrons at Misawa, with airmen going through the entire deployment process and packing cargo needed to deploy, according to Misawa.
National Guard adjutants general from nearly two dozen states have signed a letter to Congress seeking multiyear funding for the Air Force to purchase between 72 and 100 new fighter jets per year to modernize the total force.The letter, sent to Congress last week, stresses the need for the Air…