Pacific Air Forces chief Gen. Lori Robinson has set up an “F-35 Integration Office” for her command, even though deployment of the fighter in the Pacific is still potentially years away. Robinson, speaking with defense writers in Washington, D.C., said the office will build on the experience of flying the stealthy F-22 in the Pacific theater, and begin laying the groundwork for a joint employment doctrine, since the Marine Corps, Australia, Japan, Korea, and potentially other Pacific region partners will also operate the jet. The Marine Corps has already signed on to participate with the office, as it will be first in theater to deploy the F-35, she said.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…