Lockheed Martin F-16 chief Rod McLean notes that the preponderance of the air forces flying missions against ISIS in Iraq and Syria are using F-16s. The US, Denmark, and many of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations—Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates, as well as Jordan and Morrocco—are flying Falcons in Operation Inherent Resolve. McLean, at a company media event in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, pointed out to reporters that Egypt, though not flying against Iraqi or Syrian targets, is flying missions against ISIS in Libya … with F-16s. Turkey has also flown its F-16s against Syrian targets in unrelated operations within the last year.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.