F-35 range issue; first combat

The Navy’s stealthy F-35C may not have the range it needs to strike enemy targets, the House Armed Services Committee said in a new report. It raises questions about whether the multibillion-dollar program is already outpaced by threats. The committee's conclusion is in a 606-page report on the fiscal 2019 defense authorization bill. The F-35C may not have enough range without refueling, and that's by aircraft that are not stealthy, opening both to enemy attack. (Source: Roll Call, 05/22/18) In another F-35 story, the Israeli version of the F-35 has now been used in combat for the first time. The Israel Defense Forces announced on its Twitter account that the Israeli version of the fighter, using its "Adir" moniker, was used in operational missions. The Israeli Air Force used the F-35 in two recent strikes in Syria. (Source: Defense News, Reuters via CNBC, Jerusalem Post, 05/22/18) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.