House Appropriations defense subcommittee Chairman Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) today called the Air Force's aging tactical aviation fleet a "major problem" with no easily defined solution. Noting that the service's workhorse F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcon's are facing retirement in the next decade without readily available replacements, the congressman said "if we don't build [more F-22A Raptors] and maintenance problems continue to be a severe thing, that means we wouldn't have F-22s available if something happens." "Down the road...
