The Hawaii Air National Guard’s 199th Fighter Squadron operates its F-15 fighters out of a facility built when the unit flew F-86s some 50 years ago. Since the squadron is getting the newest USAF fighter, the F-22A, it plans to construct a new $30 million facility, beginning in 2008—after the requisite envinronmental assessments—the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports.
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.