Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

What can we expect from the anti-Islamic State coalition?

09/12/2014

U.S. officials are working hard to build a broad, international coalition to combat Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. What’s unclear is whether the international effort will produce a coalition of consequence or one in name only. At the NATO summit last week, the U.S. announced formation of a 10-nation “core coalition” that includes nine NATO members plus Australia. It has since grown.

Multinational F-35-Summit to be held in Oslo on 25 September

09/12/2014

This happens as all nine partner nations in the program assemble in Oslo for their second JSF steering board of 2014. The F-35 Program is expected to deliver around 3,000 aircraft for the nine partner nations as well as several direct export customers over the next 20 to 25 years and is the largest multinational technology development program of its kind since World War II. For the first time media will also be invited to cover the meeting from a dedicated press centre.

U.S. Flew 2,700 Iraq Missions Before Obama’s New Push

09/12/2014

U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft flew more than 2,700 missions to combat Islamic State in Iraq even before President Barack Obama announced an expanded military campaign against the Sunni extremists. The 2,749 sorties through yesterday include surveillance and refueling aircraft, providing a fuller measure of the scope of operations than the 156 airstrikes that have been announced through today in statements by U.S. Central Command.

US warplanes to fly from Iraqi base: Pentagon

09/12/2014

US combat aircraft will soon start flying out of a base in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq as part of a "more aggressive" air campaign against Islamic State jihadists, the Pentagon said on Thursday (Sep 11). The use of Arbil air base reflects the broadening US offensive against the IS militants, though attack helicopters already have been flying out of bases in Iraq.

Eastern Military District Troops Moved to Highest State of Combat Readiness

09/12/2014

Troops in Russia's Eastern Military District are moved to the highest state of combat readiness as surprise drills begin in the region, the Russian Ministry of Defense informed on Friday. "As part of a surprise check of the Eastern Military District troops' combat readiness, military formations and units located in the Eastern region of the Russian Federation have completed the implementation of measures to enter the highest degree of combat readiness," the ministry wrote in a statement.

10 Arab States to Join US-headed Coalition Against IS: Reports

09/12/2014

Ten Arab states have agreed to join the coalition, headed by the United States, that aims to defeat the Islamic State (IS) militant group, also referred to as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), according to a Jeddah Communique, published on US State Department official website after a meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Arab counterparts.

Obama Pledges ‘Relentless’ Campaign Against Islamic State

09/11/2014

President Barack Obama pledged a “relentless” campaign to destroy Islamic State extremists in Iraq and Syria, with Middle Eastern allies such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan playing crucial supporting roles. In an address to the nation tonight, Obama said the U.S. would lead a “broad coalition,” using American air power in support of local forces on the ground.

USAF begins F-16D crack repair planning

09/11/2014

The US Air Force's (USAF's) effort to devise a repair for 82 of its grounded Lockheed Martin F-16D Fighting Falcon combat aircraft is expected to begin on 11 September and be ready for verification within weeks, according to a spokeswoman for the service. "The repair process development will start this week" at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, Susan Murphy, a spokesperson for Air Force Materiel Command, told IHS Jane's on 9 September.

Islamic State group not an unstoppable juggernaut

09/11/2014

The Islamic State group is often described as the most fearsome jihadi outfit of all: a global menace outweighing al-Qaida, with armies trembling before its advance. But while the group has been successful at seizing parts of Iraq and Syria, it is no unstoppable juggernaut.

Integrating Typhoon and F-35: The Key to Future British Air Power

09/11/2014

British combat air post-2020 will depend on the RAF’s Typhoon fast jet fleet – currently planned to total 107 aircraft at the end of this decade – and the F-35 Lightning II strike fighter, operated jointly by the RAF and the Royal Navy. Then-Secretary of State for Defence Phillip Hammond said in July 2012 that the UK would buy up to forty-eight F-35B short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft in the next ten years of the newly agreed equipment plan.

AWACS receives new upgrades

09/11/2014

Airmen of the AWACS Joint Test Force in Seattle, Washington have recently completed testing for an upgrade to the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System. The AWACS Joint Test Force is comprised of Air Combat Command personnel assigned to Detachment 1, 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron, along with Air Force Material Command personnel belonging to the 96th Operations Group Detachment 2.

Recon Squadron Keeps Remotely Piloted Aircraft Flying

09/11/2014

Little more than a decade ago, the skies over Afghanistan looked dramatically different than they do today. Heavy bombing from B-52 Stratofortress', B-1B Lancers and B-2 Spirit bombers could be seen along with F-16 Fighting Falcons, as well as the Navy's F-18 Hornet. Today a small reconnaisance squadron from Kandahar Airfield accounts for more than eight out of 10 of the RPA combat air patrols and reconnaissance missions over Afghan skies.

Boeing Delivers 5th P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft to India

09/11/2014

Boeing delivered the fifth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India, on schedule, on Sept. 9 as part of a contract for eight aircraft to support the Indian Navy’s maritime patrol requirements. The aircraft arrived at Naval Air Station Rajali, after a flight from Seattle’s Boeing Field, and joined the four previously delivered P-8Is.

United States Will Lead ‘Broad Coalition’ Against Islamic State: Obama

09/11/2014

United States will lead a "broad coalition" to root out Islamic State (IS) militants, US President Barack Obama said in excerpts of his address, released by the White House. "I can announce that America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat," Obama said. "Our objective is clear: we will degrade, and ultimately destroy, ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counterterrorism strategy," US President has noted.

Kerry: Washington Does Not Know Who Is Behind Chemical Attacks in Syria

09/11/2014

Washington does not have information who is behind the chemical attacks in Syria, US Secretary of State John Kerry told journalists. “We do not have detailed information about specifically who issued an order, as we did on August the 21st event. We do not have specific information about what entity delivered it,” Kerry said on Wednesday.

France Ready to Participate in Air Force Operation Against Islamic State in Iraq: Reports

09/11/2014

France will participate in an air military operation against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, if necessary, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Wednesday as quoted by Reuters. "In Iraq ... we will take part in military air action if necessary. The situation in Syria is different," Fabius told students in a speech at the Sciences Po academy in Paris.

US Navy already looking beyond carrier-based F-35

09/10/2014

More than four years before the aircraft is scheduled to enter service, the US Navy already is considering modifying the Lockheed Martin F-35C to perform future missions beyond 2030. Navy officials announced on 9 September that an analysis of alternatives (AoA) for the FA-XX aircraft would begin in calendar year 2015 and will consider modifying both the F-35C and the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, as well as building a new aircraft to fulfil the requirement.

F/A-50 UNDERWENT PROCESS BEFORE BEING SELECTED AS PHL’S NEXT JET FIGHTER

09/10/2014

Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Fernando Manalo on Tuesday said that the South Korean F/A-50 underwent the process before being selected as the country’s premier jet fighter. The defense official made this statement in response to queries made by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate during the DND budget hearing at the House of Representatives.

Canadian troops sent to Poland

09/10/2014

Canadian soldiers will participate in a military exercise in Poland as part of international efforts to "promote peace and stability" in central and eastern Europe. The Canadian Army has sent 15 personnel to Lublin, Poland, where operation Maple Arch 14 takes place until Sept. 18.

Polish Defence Modernization: Between strategic intent and spending reality

09/10/2014

The 22nd International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO 2014) was a good opportunity to take a closer look at the ambitious technical modernization program of the Polish Armed Forces. Poland is among the very few European countries that has been increasing its military spending, as part of a shift away from Soviet-era gear and toward modern Western systems.

U.K. To Arm Kurds Fighting Islamic State In Iraq

09/10/2014

he British government said on Tuesday that it will give heavy machine guns and nearly half a million rounds of ammunition to Kurdish regional forces battling Islamic State insurgents in Northern Iraq, the first time it has directly supplied weapons to the Peshmerga in this conflict.

Putin’s peace plan calls for Ukraine to end its use of military aircraft against civilians and populated areas

09/10/2014

On September 3, 2014 during a press conference about Mongolia trade agreements a reporter interrupted Vladimir Putin to ask a question about the military situation in Ukraine. How Putin answered that question was both concise and thorough. Putin also took that opportunity to lay out the case of a peace plan, which the western media completely ignored.

U.S. military pounding away at ISIS near Haditha Dam in Iraq

09/10/2014

The U.S. military says it launched five more airstrikes in support of Iraqi government troops and Sunni tribesmen protecting the Haditha Dam against fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria that controls parts of northern and western Iraq. Central Command says that a combination of U.S. attack, fighter and drone aircraft destroyed or damaged eight armed vehicles, two of which were transporting anti-aircraft artillery near the dam. It says six other vehicles also were struck.

Boeing Delivers 3rd Peace Eagle Aircraft to Turkey

09/10/2014

Boeing delivered on schedule on Sept. 4 the third Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Turkish Armed Forces, further increasing the country’s self-defense capabilities. The AEW&C aircraft was delivered at Konya Air Base, the fleet’s main operating base. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the fourth aircraft for the program in 2015.

Flight of Russian Planes Over Black Sea Planned: Russian Defense Ministry

09/10/2014

The flyover of two Russian aircraft over the Black Sea was planned and in accordance with international law and they did not approach a Canadian Navy vessel in the area, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Gen.-Maj. Igor Konashenkov said Tuesday. “On September 7, 2014, the crew of two aircraft, an Su-24 and an An-26, from the Russian Air Force successfully completed planned flights over neutral waters of the Black Sea in the area of the state borders of the Russian Federation.