Iran’s behavior, consisting of irrationality, belligerence, and instability, is turning out to be “the best recruiter” for the US coalition in the Middle East, Joint Staff Director Vice Adm. William Gortney said last week. The members of the Gulf Cooperation Council—most of the nations on the west side of the Persian Gulf—”rush into our coalition” every time Iran takes another threatening step, said Gortney in his address at AFA’s Air & Space Conference. Iran’s rhetoric is “not helping itself” and the nation is “isolating itself” economically, he said. All these steps tend to strengthen US ties to allies in the region, he said, noting that Iran is “scaring” the GCC members.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.