Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Air Force plans to cut its F-22 fleet, but that won’t derail move to Langley AFB

03/31/2022

The Air Force plans to cut its fleet of F-22s by 33 — mothballing planes used by the training unit that’s moving to Langley Air Force Base — but its plans to shift that unit and its hundreds of civilians and contractors to Hampton are still on course. “Although we plan to retire the F-22 Block 20 aircraft, we plan to redistribute the existing operational F-22 aircraft to support the training mission as well as the operational missions,” said Ann Stefanek, the Air Force’s chief media spokeswoman.

Switzerland Got A Taste Of The F-35 And Patriot During Armeebotschaft 2022

03/31/2022

Two F-35A Lightning II of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force), took part in “Armeebotschaft 2022” at Emmen Air Base, Switzerland last week. The presence of the two Italian aircraft was requested by the Swiss government to present the population and authorities the new fighter which was chosen to replace the current aircraft in the Swiss Air Force.

Top providers of air combat training complete merger

03/31/2022

Military aviation training companies Top Aces and Blue Air Training announced the completion of a merger on 30 March. Las Vegas-based Blue Air provides Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training for the US Air Force (USAF) and foreign air forces. JTACs are ground-based USAF personnel who direct fire support from aerial platforms.

All You Need To Know About The Starstreak Missiles Now In The Hands Of Ukrainian Troops

03/31/2022

Ukraine is poised to introduce a new ground-based air defense system to its war against Russia’s invasion forces, with the announcement that the British-supplied Starstreak main-portable air defense system, or MANPADS, is “ready to be used imminently.” Once fielded in combat, the Starstreak will be the latest addition to a growing armory of similar systems used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which we examined in detail in this past feature.

How Germany, shaken by Ukraine, plans to rebuild its military

03/30/2022

Three days after the attack began, Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a landmark speech pledged a special budget of 100 billion euros for the military, as well as annual spending of more than two percent of output on defence. The armaments industry has since been buzzing about the looming spending spree.

USAF conducts hot pit refuelling with KC-135 in Pacific

03/30/2022

The US Air Force’s (USAF) 18th Wing has conducted the hot-pit style refuelling with a KC-135 Stratotanker at Kadence Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. The hot pit refuelling exercise maximises agile combat employment (ACE). The event was conducted in the Pacific Air Forces’ (PACAF) area of responsibility for the first time, reported technical sergeant Micaiah Anthony.

USAF’s 325th Fighter Wing to receive F-35A aircraft next year

03/30/2022

The US Air Force (USAF)’s 325th Fighter Wing (FW) based in Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida is set to receive F-35A Lightning II aircraft starting from September 2023. The move is part of the National Defense Strategy to enhance air superiority goals. Currently, Tyndall personnel and contractors are working to prepare the airbase to accommodate the F-35 jets.

The Russian Air Force Is Losing Its Best Jets Over Ukraine

03/30/2022

The Sukhoi Su-34 was supposed to change the Russian air force. The twin-engine, twin-seat, supersonic fighter-bomber—a highly-evolved variant of the Su-27 air-superiority fighter—promised to usher in a new era of high-tech, precision bombing.

Audit clears Finnish F-35 buy amid rising spending on pandemic, Ukraine

03/29/2022

A budgetary analysis by Finland’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) has determined that the government’s $10 billion buy of 64 Lockheed F-35 fighter jets can be funded from within the Finnish Defense Force’s (FDF) established annual income and expenditure framework.

Navy electronic attack aircraft heading to Germany amid Ukraine war

03/29/2022

With thousands of troops deployed to Europe in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Navy is adding to its assets in the region. The Defense Department announced Monday that six EA-18G Growlers, with 240 air crew and maintainers, will head to Spangdahlem, Germany, as part of 14,000 troops the U.S. has committed to reassure NATO. The electronic attack aircraft will not be doing any jamming missions, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

Armenia transfers combat aircraft to Russia for use against Ukraine

03/29/2022

Armenia handed over combat aircraft to Russia for use in military operations against Ukraine, Trend reports citing the Turkish media. According to the statement, on March 25, four Su-30 fighters took off from Armenia and flew to Russia to be used against Ukraine. Thus, Armenia became a participant in the military activities in Ukraine. Once again, this country contributed to the escalation of the conflict rather than peace in the region.

US, Filipino forces start war drills in region facing Taiwan

03/29/2022

Thousands of American and Filipino forces began on Monday one of their largest combat exercises in years that will include live-fire maneuvers, aircraft assaults, urban warfare and beach landings in a showcase of U.S. firepower in the northern Philippines near its sea border with Taiwan.

Air Force proposes cuts to military workforce, combat aircraft in 2023

03/29/2022

Air Force jobs are set to dip in fiscal 2023 as the service looks to retire more of its mainstay combat aircraft, according to the Biden administration’s new budget request released Monday. The service wants to shrink its workforce by opting not to replace airmen who separate, retire or leave on other terms, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters in a March 25 preview.

Canada picks U.S.-made F-35 fighter jet as next warplane, source says

03/28/2022

The Canadian government has selected Lockheed Martin Corp., the American manufacturer of the F-35 fighter jet, as its preferred bidder in a $19-billion search for a new warplane. The announcement will be made today, a source told The Globe and Mail. They were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. This development means Canada starts negotiating solely with Lockheed Martin on a contract for the combat aircraft.

India successfully test-fires advanced version of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM)

03/28/2022

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) informed that on Sunday (March 27), the country has successfully carried out the test firing of the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile air defence system. The test-fire was carried out off the coast of Odisha's Balasore, which is an eastern Indian state.

NATO, explained: Why the alliance was formed — and what it's doing for Ukraine

03/28/2022

As Russia continues its attack on Ukraine, the role of NATO is at the forefront. Here's a quick overview of the alliance, the role that the United States plays within it, and what it's doing to help Ukraine amid Russia's invasion.

INTERVIEW WITH A UKRAINIAN MIG-29 PILOT

03/28/2022

Emotional compartmentalization is among the fighter pilot’s most essential skills. Especially in wartime, when there is little time to reflect on one’s mortality, or to honor the dead. Apart from their fears and sorrows, however, there is another emotion, unique to war, which Ukrainian fighter pilots must now also control each time they fly. It is their rage, provoked by the Russian pilots who continue to bomb and murder Ukrainian civilians.

Zelenskiy demands Western nations give arms to Ukraine, asks if they're afraid of Moscow

03/27/2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, visibly irritated, demanded that Western nations provide a fraction of the military hardware in their stock piles to his country and asked whether they were afraid of Moscow. Several countries have promised to send anti-armour and anti-aircraft missiles as well as small arms but Zelenskiy said Kyiv was not getting what it needed.

Ukraine says Russian general killed in the war

03/27/2022

The Ukraine defense ministry reported that another Russian general has been killed in the war. "Yakov Rezantsev is the second Russian lieutenant general to die in the war against Ukraine," the ministry tweeted Friday. "This is becoming a typical track-record of Russian generals. Lt. Gen Yakov Rezantsev is said to have been killed during a Ukrainian strike on the Chornobaivka airbase near Kherson, Ukraine, BBC reported.

Army discovers wreckage of missing Alpha Jet aircraft

03/27/2022

The Nigerian Army on Saturday said its troops have discovered wreckage of a missing Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet. The Nigerian Army made this known on its official Twitter page on Saturday. Recall that the Alpha fighter jet, marked NAF 475, went missing after losing radar contact with the air force base in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital on March 31, 2021.

End of an Era: Nellis Air Force Base bids farewell to the F-15C Eagle

03/27/2022

The end of an era is upon Nellis Air Force Base (AFB). The installation geared up to bid farewell to the F-15C Eagle as the aircraft prepared to depart for the last time. On Mar. 16, 2022 one of the last few F-15Cs departed to its final active flying unit, Eglin AFB, Florida. Back in December 2020, it was announced that the last cadre of F-15C students and instructors flew their final defensive counter-air mission for the US Air Force Weapons School.

U.S. Air Force Deploys F-35s to Deter Russian Threats to Eastern European

03/27/2022

American F-35s deployed to NATO member states in Eastern Europe could help deter Russia from expanding its war in Ukraine to other countries. U.S. Air Force F-35As briefly operated from Estonia in the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Air Force units in Europe remain in the region to support allies.

In the wake of Egypt’s cancellation of Su-35 deal with Russia, Israel tries to persuade the US to approve the sale of F-15 Advanced Eagle fighter jets to Cairo

03/26/2022

According to a report on Israel’s Walla! News site, Israel is trying to persuade the US to approve the sale of advanced F-15 Advanced Eagle fighter jets to Egypt. Israel is working to approve the US aircraft deal with Egypt as part of Jerusalem’s efforts to improve relations between Cairo and Washington, the report says.

The real Top Gun! Cockpit video shows F-15 pilot in mock dogfight desperately trying to escape 'enemy' chasing him as he fires flares to fool missiles

03/26/2022

A viral video of an Air Force pilot training exercise captures the heart-stopping maneuvers a real Top Gun has to perform to escape his 'enemy.' The video shows Air Force Pilot William Lewis shooting off swirling flares to distract his pursuer in a 3k training exercise above the Nevada Test and Training Range on the Nellis Air Force Base. The 3k refers to the 3,000 feet separating the jet-to-jet combat.

Marine Attack Squadron 214 Transitions to the F-35B

03/26/2022

As part of the transition from the AV-8B Harrier to the F-35B Lightning II, VMA-214 was re-designated as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214. The F-35B Lightning II is replacing the AV-8B Harrier to introduce unmatched capabilities to the Marine Corps. The F-35B Lightning II represents a leap forward in air dominance by providing the operational agility and tactical supremacy Marines need to provide expeditious and lethal support.