The drill could have substantive geopolitical implications not only in the current China-India standoff but also in the larger Indo-Pacific context where China is flexing its muscle.
The Pentagon has acknowledged that an Iranian ballistic missile hit Al Udeid Air Base in June during an Iranian attack after Trump downplayed the assault.
The DOD's fiscal 2026 budget calls for the Air Force to retire its remaining 162 A-10 attack planes. The Senate's version would have the service keep 103.