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Focuses on the United States combat readiness ratings, as of March 9, 1998. Comments on the over-commitment of US forces; Limited supplies and fuel; Mention of training shortfalls; Downsizing of the armed forces; Effects of military budgeting; Consideration of weapons systems, and sustainability.

This article presents a narrative of the author's experience on his 28th combat mission during the Operation Desert Storm. On February 25, 1991, F-16 wingman, Geoff "Grover" Cleveland, and the author arrived at the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron. The unit had deployed five months earlier from Hill AFB, Utah, in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Five weeks into the war, things were going well. The ground phase was underway and allied forces were moving rapidly into Kuwait. Cleveland waited patiently on the tanker's left wing. He dropped into refueling position as the author punched in the primary strike radio frequency and contacted Airborne Warning and Control aircraft.

The U.S. aerospace designers competing for the unmanned combat armed rotorcraft (UCAR) program are concocting a technological cocktail comprising speed, aggressive terrain masking, aircraft teaming, advanced aural or sound and visual stealth. The Army also wants flights of aircraft that can operate autonomously but attack cooperatively. A major new problem facing UCAR developers is avoiding low-level obstacles like hills, trees and wires and at the same time detecting threats that are shooting at the aircraft from the ground.

Focuses on the intelligence preparations for combat operations in the United States. Modernization and restructuring of surveillance fleets; Identification of intelligence aircrafts in operation; Effect of changes in priorities on reconnaissance aircraft development programs.

Focuses on the combat effectiveness of the experimental Enroute Expeditionary Operations Center observed as part of the US Air Force's Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 1999 held in the United States. Benefits derived from EEOC; Communications and defense systems of EEOC.

Reports that a B-1B squadron has completed a congressionally mandated operational readiness test with an 84.6 percent mission capable (MC) rate, demonstrating the bomber's ability to operate at wartime tempos from an austere location. Conclusion of a six-month Operational Readiness Assessment (ORA) dictated by the 1994 Defense Authorization Act.

The article reports on the declaration of an initial operational capability for the C-130J airlifter by the Air Mobility Command of the U.S. Air Force. During the first deployment of the military aircraft to Southwest Asia, two C-130J transport planes from the Maryland Air National Guard's 135th Airlift Group marked a 93.1 percent mission-capable rate during 1,381 hours.

The article reports that as the Pentagon moves into the final stages of its Quadrennial Defense Review , the four-year assessment of the U.S. military strategy, possible cutbacks in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program are worrying international partners now working on the $60-billion project to build the next-generation combat aircraft. The emphasis on cost control and price was one of the JSF's main attractions for potential international customers.

Reports the implications of Boeing cancellation on the acquisition of wide-body aircrafts by the United States Air Force. Influx and payload range of the development program; Considerations of the agency on tanker buying initiative; Integration of the multisensor command and control on their system.