Pacific Air Forces chief Gen. Paul Hester on a visit to Yokota AB, Japan, told reporters that the F-22 Raptor will arrive at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska in August and the number of C-17 airlifters in the region will grow to 16 when eight new airlifters beddown in Alaska in June 2007, joining the eight already calling Hawaii home, reports Stars and Stripes. It was a message intended to show the growing emphasis placed on the Pacific region. In talking with airmen at Yokota, Hester was on point with other key Air Force messages, including the fact that the service’s high operations tempo likely would continue and that the service’s force-shaping effort—cutting some 40,000 personnel over three years—is offset by modernization plans because new systems require fewer bodies.
China thinks it will be able to invade Taiwan by 2027 and has developed a technology edge in many key areas—but it is artificial intelligence that may be the decisive factor should conflict erupt, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.