Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

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.