The Air Force has released a statement declaring that the problem that prompted the service to interrupt the deployment of 12 F-22A Raptors to the Japanese island of Okinawa last week should be fixed “within the next several days.” A 13th Air Force spokesman told Daily Report on Monday that multiple aircraft in the flight from Hickam AFB, Hawaii, had experienced a navigational software glitch, prompting their return to Hickam. In a Feb. 14 statement, Lt. Gen. Loyd Utterback, 13th AF commander, calls the problem “a minor issue.” He said safety concerns always take precedence.
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.