Three colonels deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, flew their 3,000th flying hour in an F-16 during sorties on Dec. 2. They are John Dolan, Michael Fantini, and David Romuald. They join some 150 fellow Viper pilots who have reached that milestone. Dolan is vice commander of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad. Fantini is commander of the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group and Romuald is deputy commander. (Balad photo release)
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…