The US Air Force is assisting Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, and the Israeli Air Force in determining the source of a type of formaldehyde found in IAF F-16 fighters, reports the Jerusalem Post. The problem erupted earlier this year when Israeli pilots noticed a strange smell in one fighter that later proved to be a type of formaldehyde that is known to cause cancer, prompting the IAF to ground the fighters. The US Air Force has not had a similar problem with its F-16s, according to Air Combat Command boss Gen. John Corley. The IAF is installing special filters that appear to work to eliminate the problem in some of the aircraft but not all.
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…