According to two British news reports, the US Air Force will draw down uniformed airmen and US civilian personnel at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom. The UK Ministry of Defence said the drawdown will also affect some 100 British citizens. The BBC reports that the US will keep Fairford on its designated standby list of bases that it can use within 24 to 48 hours notice. Fairford served as a staging base for B-52 bombers. (This Is Gloucester report)
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…