As evidence of thawing superpower relations, US Secretary of Defense Frank C. Carlucci is given the opportunity to inspect the Soviet Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber during a visit to Kubinka Air Base, near Moscow.
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.