Despite comments from top Pentagon officials that the F-22 and F-35 are comparable—and perhaps interchangeable—they are not, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley told defense reporters Thursday in Washington. The best analogy, he said, is to think of the F-22 and F-35 as being akin to the F-15 and F-16, which pioneered the high/low mix 25 years ago. “I believe the two airplanes are complementary. I believe the two airplanes are required,” Moseley asserted. “One is designed for a specific task, the other is designed for a more general task, but together they provide the capability needed for the theater commander.” Both are fifth-generation aircraft—meaning they are stealthy and have advanced electronics—but the high-end F-22’s extreme performance is necessary to clear the skies of enemy fighters, while the F-35 is needed to provide wide coverage of targets in a less costly platform. “Fifth generation capability is the way to survive the new integrated air defense systems,” Moseley said. Stealth, he said, “is very important.”
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.