The President, in his Saturday radio address, said that the goal in Iraq is “clear and unchanging: Our goal is victory. What is changing are the tactics we use to achieve that goal.” However, news reports indicate that more than a “tactics” change is in the wind. The New York Times quoted a “senior Pentagon official” as saying he and others are working on a blueprint that includes a timetable for the Iraqi government to take on a larger role in the country’s security. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports that a “senior official” believes major changes are coming and options under consideration include everything from a timetable for withdrawal to installing a “strong-man” government. In other words, it’s still anybody’s guess.
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.