Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Long Range Aircraft Move to Tactical Airfields of Eastern Military District

09/16/2014

Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers and Tu-22M3 bombers have moved from the base airfields to the tactical airfields of the Eastern Military District as part of an unannounced combat readiness check, said the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry. "As part of a combat readiness check of the Eastern Military District forces, the crews of the Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 missile carriers will be patrolling various areas and providing aviation support to the Pacific Fleet," the ministry said.

US Air Force Expects High Op Tempo for Europe Rotations

09/15/2014

The US Air Force has spent the last 20 years reducing its footprint in Europe, but the last six months of Russian military aggression, among other world events, could force the service to rethink that strategy. Airmen rotating through Europe should expect a higher op tempo that includes rapid deployments, joint training and more temporary assignments in Eastern Europe.

Nigerian Air Force Plane Missing in Far Northeast: Militar

09/15/2014

A Nigerian Air Force jet has been missing for two days after disappearing in the country's far northeast, where troops are fighting Boko Haram insurgents, the military said on Sunday. The Alpha Jet, with two pilots on board, left its base in Yola, Adamawa state, on what was described as a "routine operational mission" at about 10:45 am (0945 GMT) on Friday and had been expected back by midday the same day.

Australia to contribute military aircraft to fight against ISIS

09/15/2014

Australia is preparing to contribute up to 10 military aircraft to the increasingly aggressive campaign against the Islamic State (IS) extremists in Syria and Iraq. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a statement issued that Australia was responding to a formal request from the United States for specific contributions to the international coalition.

Guam Military Exercises to Draw 18,000 US Forces

09/14/2014

American forces are converging on Guam, a strategically important U.S. territory 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) south of Tokyo, this month for a week of sophisticated military exercises involving two aircraft carriers. Servicemen and women will practice searching for submarines, stopping suspect vessels at sea and using a new missile defense system recently set up on Guam. They'll work through issues like how Navy F-18 pilots might talk to Air Force F-16 or F-15 pilots.

India identifies 15 weapon systems for export

09/14/2014

The Defence Research and Development Organisation, which is struggling to meet deadlines for delivering key military projects, is working on an elaborate weapons export plan to make inroads in the lucrative global arms market. Backed by a government that seeks to transform India from the world's biggest weapons importer into an export powerhouse, the DRDO has identified 15 weapon systems that could help the country get its foot in the door in the international arms bazaar.

Salmond demands £10bn tartan army: Ships, jets, helicopters, troops...they're all in SNP's sights if Scotland votes Yes

09/14/2014

Alex Salmond is demanding a £10 billion carve-up of Britain’s Armed Forces – including aircraft, ships and the transfer of up to 9,200 regular and Special Forces troops – if Scotland votes for independence. The Scottish National Party leader insists his country’s share of the UK’s military assets should be handed over free of charge so his government can form its own navy, air force and army.

Aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford taking shape

09/14/2014

As of last week, America's newest aircraft carrier was 81 percent complete, its sleek tower rising above Pier 3 at Newport News Shipbuilding. To motorists driving along Huntington Avenue, the Gerald R. Ford might seem no different than the aircraft carriers moored at Naval Station Norfolk a few miles to the south. But make no mistake, this ship, the first of a new class, is different from the bridge to the bathrooms.

Why Arab militaries would not bring much firepower to the coalition against ISIL

09/14/2014

A great deal is being made of the fact that the Gulf Arab states with the most to fear from ISIL are loath to contribute their militaries to president Barack Obama’s global coalition against the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria. Although the Gulf countries are nominally members of the coalition, they have pledged only to provide military “assistance,” rather than aircraft to strike against ISIL targets, much less troops to fight the terrorists.

U.S. Navy calls off search for pilot in Pacific Ocean crash

09/14/2014

A missing fighter jet pilot was presumed dead on Saturday by U.S. Navy officials, a day after the pilot was involved in a mid-air collision with another jet over the western Pacific Ocean. The Navy in a statement on Saturday said it had called off the search for the pilot, whose name was not released pending notification of next of kin. Several Navy helicopters and ships were involved in the effort to find the pilot.

Navy jets crash in Pacific: One F-18 fighter pilot still missing

09/14/2014

Search and rescue teams continue to look for a US Navy pilot missing since Thursday when two F/A-18C Hornet jets crashed into the western Pacific Ocean. Navy officials have yet to say anything about the cause of the accident, although several news sources report that it was a mid-air collision between the two fighter aircraft, which were on a training flight about 300 miles west of Wake Island.

Iraqi Prime Minister Orders to Suspend Airstrikes on Populated Areas of Country

09/14/2014

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi has ordered the military forces to suspend airstrikes on areas of the country with high civilian populations, which are currently under the control of the radical group Islamic State (IS), the Associated Press reported Saturday. "I issued this order two days ago, because we do not want to see more innocent victims falling in the places and provinces controlled by [the Islamic State]," Abadi was quoted as saying.

Two Navy jets crash in Western Pacific

09/13/2014

Two Navy jets operating off the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson crashed in the western Pacific Ocean Friday. F/A-18 Hornets, assigned to Strike Fighter squadrons 94 and 113, crashed at 5:40 p.m. local time. One pilot was quickly located and was receiving medical attention. However, search efforts were continuing for the second pilot. The exact location of the crash was not confirmed, although the Carl Vinson was about 250 miles west of Wake Island at the time.

Buy Russian, Or Else

09/13/2014

President Putin of Russia recently sent some essential supplies to Serbia, as a personal gift, to put some of Serbia’s Mig-21 and MiG-29 aircraft back in service. The essential supplies consisted of special batteries the MiGs required to operate. Why did the Serbs lack batteries? Therein lies an interesting tale.

Azerbaijan, Turkey to stage joint drills

09/13/2014

Azerbaijani and Turkish armed forces will hold large-scale military exercises on September 13-20. Azerbaijan will host the large-scale operational and technical exercises involving all types of troops of Azerbaijani armed forces. The drills would be held in accordance with a plan approved earlier by Azerbaijani President, Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on September 12.

Aerial target QF-16 takes to the sky

09/13/2014

The Air Force's newest aerial target took a major step toward preparing warfighters downrange with a realistic fourth-generation replication of what they may face on the battlefield. The first unmanned QF-16 Viper struck down over the Gulf of Mexico Sept. 5, 2014, was part of a joint effort between the Test and Training Division at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron here.

Fighter Pilot Was Tasked With Taking Out United 93 By Crashing Into It

09/13/2014

On September 11, 2001, Lt. Heather “Lucky” Penney had one harrowing mission: bring down United 93. She took off from Andrews Air Force Base, but without weapons. No missiles, machine guns, etc.; she would have to ram into the commercial airliner to save American lives.

ISIL hit U.S. F-15 with anti-aircaft batteries captured from Iraq

09/13/2014

Islamic State of Iraq and Levant has been operating anti-aircraft batteries stolen from the Iraqi military. Officials said the U.S. military has determined that ISIL deployed an unspecified number of anti-aircraft artillery to counter Western air strikes in northern Iraq. Western diplomatic sources said ISIL struck at least one U.S. aircraft. They said an F-15 fighter-jet was hit by ISIL fire in late August that damaged the hydraulic system and forced the aircraft to land in neighboring Turkey.

It’s Not Airpower Vs. Boots On Ground Any More

09/13/2014

As the Ukrainian and Middle Eastern crises roil our world, the debate quickly turns on which path will work best to deal with the evolving threats: boots on the ground, or planes in the air operating without boots on the ground. The specter of responses to the 9/11 attack and the various engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq naturally shade everyone’s perspectives.

US to deliver armed light Cessna aircraft to Lebanon to combat ISIL

09/13/2014

The US Ambassador to Lebanon has confirmed his country's intention to supply the Lebanese military with an armed Cessna aircraft and other support aircraft to face the threat of armed Islamists. After meeting Lebanon's Prime Minister Tammam Salam, David Hale said that the delivery, which comes after a similar delivery last year, would be funded by Saudi funds that had been recently pledged to the Lebanese military.

Sanctions Against Russia Over Ukrainian Crisis

09/13/2014

On March 17, The United States, dissatisfied with Russia's actions during the crisis in Ukraine, introduced sanctions against high-ranking Russian politicians. The sanctions banned the individuals from entering the United States and froze assets and property.

Russia, Nigeria Sign Contract for Mi-171Sh, Mi-35 Helicopters

09/13/2014

Russia and Nigeria have signed a contract for the supply of Mi-171Sh and Mi-35 helicopters, Rosoboronexport deputy general director Sergei Goreslavsky told reporters Friday. "The Mi-171Sh machine is in steady demand on the foreign market. A contract with Nigeria was recently signed," Goreslavsky said, commenting on the August contract. According to him, the helicopter is in demand in Africa, and Mozambique is very interested in the rotorcraft.

Military plane crashes in Gulu, pilot ejects to safety

09/12/2014

One person on-board a military aircraft escaped with his life after the plane he was flying crashed in the northern Ugandan district of Gulu on Thursday. Colonel Joseph Balikuddembe, the Uganda People’s Defense Forces 4th Division Second-in-Command, said the plane crashed shortly after take-off from the 4th Division’s airbase.

Arabs back anti-IS move as Syria warns on 'attacks'

09/12/2014

Arab nations rallied Thursday behind US President Barack Obama's call to expand operations against jihadists in Iraq and Syria, as Damascus warned it would consider any action on its territory as an attack. Ten states, including heavyweight Saudi Arabia, "agreed to do their share in the comprehensive fight" against Islamic State, said a statement after a meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Arab counterparts.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott awaits request from US on Iraq role

09/12/2014

The Abbott government is expecting a "specific" request within days for Australian military involvement in a new war in Iraq after US President Barack Obama announced he would dramatically escalate an aerial bombing campaign and send military advisers. The US-led assault, co-ordinated with international partners including Australia, will aim to seek out and destroy fighters from the Islamic State and will probably take months or even years.