Meet Raptor, Spirit, and Nighthawk: The bellicose rhetoric of the Iranian government continues unabated, despite international pressure against the country’s desire to produce nuclear weapons. Contrary to what some pundits have said about a lack of effective military options, Ret. Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, who has 17 Air Medals and last served as assistant vice chief of staff, writes in the Weekly Standard that a feasible option does exist—namely a “powerful air campaign led by approximately 60 stealth aircraft (B-2s, F-117s, F-22s) and more than 400 nonstealth strike aircraft, including B-52s, B-1s, F-15s, F-16s, Tornadoes, and F-18s.” McInerney would prefer a diplomatic option, but in his view the Iranian regime will not “bow easily to diplomatic pressure,” thus he believes the “existence of a military option” may be the only persuader.
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.