Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

Niger newest front in war on terrorism

03/24/2013

The newest outpost in the U.S. government’s empire of drone bases sits behind a razor-wire-topped wall outside this West African capital, blasted by 110-degree heat and the occasional sandstorm blowing from the Sahara. The U.S. Air Force began flying a handful of unarmed Predator drones from here last month. The gray, mosquito-shaped aircraft emerge sporadically from a borrowed hangar and soar north in search of al-Qaida fighters and guerrillas.

India Is World’s Largest Buyer Of Weapons

03/24/2013

India has emerged as the world’s largest importer of major conventional weapons worldwide, according to new data on international arms transfers published on Monday. The top five importers of major conventional weapons worldwide are all in Asia: India (12% of global imports), China (6%), Pakistan (5%), South Korea (5%) and Singapore (4%).

Sequester budget cuts in Indiana hit military, education, seniors, public health and Head Start

03/24/2013

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday it would close two airport control towers in Indiana because of automatic budget cuts approved by Congress. Gary and Columbus airports are among 149 nationwide that will shutter their air traffic centers because of $85 billion in across-the-board budget cuts known as the sequester.

Automatic Cuts Are Felt at Nation’s Air Shows

03/24/2013

Here at the 36th annual TiCo Warbird Airshow, fighter jets and vintage planes roar and rumble by as viewers ooh, aah, and then walk over to the line of food stands to buy funnel cakes and gyros, corn dogs and root beer floats. The undisputed star, of course, is the Air Force Thunderbirds, whose six-plane precision flying team crisscrosses a perfect sky in ever-changing formations and gives an undiluted thrill to the crowd — at least those who brought earplugs.

Chinese Leader Vows Stronger Military Ties With Russia

03/24/2013

Newly-elected Chinese President Xi Jinping has affirmed that China and Russia will continue to strengthen and develop their military, political and strategic relations, including cooperation between their armed forces. Xi Jinping, who is on a three-day visit to Russia – his first foreign visit since becoming Chinese president last week, met on Saturday with the Russian military leadership in the Russian Armed Forces' Operational Command Center.

Sequester Impedes Congressional Travel

03/23/2013

With the approach of spring, some in Congress are gearing up for those high-flying, all expenses-paid trips abroad known as "codels" traditionally used by lawmakers not only for fact gathering but for lots of relaxation time as well. But according to The New York Times, there may not be as much travel on the schedule this spring due to the $85 billion in automatic spending cuts that kicked in on March 1.

California sanctuary wants Toronto elephants flown south on C-17 military aircraft

03/23/2013

Representatives of the California sanctuary that will take in Toronto’s three African elephants are hoping Defence Minister Peter MacKay will allow a C-17 military aircraft to fly the animals there by the end of June. Department of National Defence staff met Thursday with officials from the city, the Toronto Zoo and Zoocheck to review what it would take to pack up and move Toka, Thika and Iringa.

The U.S.-India Partnership in the Asian Century

03/23/2013

Thank you, Neil, for that kind introduction and for inviting me here today. I’d like to thank Professor Pradeep Chhibber, Director of the Institute of International Studies for organizing this event. I’d also like to give a shout out to Ambassador Steve Browning, the State Department’s Diplomat in Residence here at Berkeley, who has no doubt persuaded countless Berkeley grads to join our ranks.

Japanese Women Take Command, Finally

03/23/2013

The next time Chinese sailors lock radar onto a Japanese warship, they may discover they’re aiming at a woman. The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) this week appointed female officers to command two naval destroyers. It’s the first time that women have been given command of frontline warships since Japan’s modern navy was formed seven decades ago.

CIA Expands Role in Syria Fight

03/23/2013

The Central Intelligence Agency is expanding its role in the campaign against the Syrian regime by feeding intelligence to select rebel fighters to use against government forces, current and former U.S. officials said. The move is part of a U.S. effort to stem the rise of Islamist extremists in Syria by aiding secular forces, U.S. officials said, amid fears that the fall of President Bashar al-Assad would enable al Qaeda to flourish in Syria.

German military on Mali mission

03/23/2013

French and Malian troops are fighting to rid northern Mali of Islamist rebels. Germany’s Bundeswehr is providing logistical support. Three Transall transport planes and 90 soldiers are stationed in Senegal. At the French army airbase in the Senegalese capital Dakar, turbines are humming. It is midday and extremely hot, a warm wind sweeps up the dust from the ground. Nearby, passenger planes take off and land at Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport.

France May Cap Purchases of Rafale Combat Jets -Report

03/23/2013

The French government is considering limiting its purchases of Rafale multi-role combat aircraft, made by Dassault Aviation SA (>> DASSAULT AVIATION), to 225 from the 286 planned over the life of the program, according to a report Friday on financial information website latribune.fr.

302nd AW receiving additional C-130 aircraft

03/22/2013

As a result of the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act Intra-theater Airlift Working Group’s recommendations, Colorado’s 302nd Airlift Wing is slated gain an additional C-130 Hercules aircraft in FY 2014. This additional backup aircraft, which was added to enhance mission effectiveness, will bring the total number of aircraft assigned to the Air Force Reserve airlift unit from 12 to 13.

Sea Knights Depart Bonhomme Richard One Last Time

03/22/2013

Ten CH-46E Sea Knight medium-lift tandem rotor transport helicopters, assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262, departed the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) for the final time March 20. Known colloquially as the "Phrog," the Sea Knight has been used in all U.S. Marine combat and peacetime environments since its introduction in 1964, and will be replaced with the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

Handheld controller used in X-47B tests

03/22/2013

The fighter-sized X-47B UCAV successful performed hand-controlled deck maneuvers on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, defense company Rockwell Collins said. Rockwell Collins said its Tactical Targeting Network Technology was used to put the unmanned combat aerial vehicle through on-deck paces, which were performed ahead of carrier landings by the aircraft planned for this year.

Russia tests air-defense in Asian region

03/22/2013

The Russian military deployed more than 500 weapons systems and 50 aircraft to a region near Mongolia for air-defense drills, the government said. The Russian government said air-defense drills are under way in the Republic of Buryatia in Asia. Military forces are testing the S-300 surface-to-air missile system, man-portable surface-to-air missiles systems and other defensive equipment, state-owned news agency RIA Novosti reports.

European Union Plans Defense Research, Financing Support Steps

03/22/2013

The European Commission plans to unveil measures to support the region’s defense industry this summer at a time when member states are curtailing military spending as part of austerity measures. Five ideas have been identified to help support military contractors, including aiding small companies gain access to financing, Daniel Calleja Crespo, director-general at the Commission’s Enterprise and Industry directorate said. More proposals could be added, he said.

China’s Testing Woes Remind That Developing Carrier Planes Is Hard

03/22/2013

The ongoing trials of China’s first aircraft carrier and her ship-based jet fighters represent a major leap ahead in capability for the People’s Liberation Army Navy. But the hype surrounding Lioaning’s debut test cruise last summer and the inaugural landing of her J-15 fighters in late November masks an important truth, one the world’s other carrier powers have long known.

F-35B makes first vertical landing at Yuma

03/22/2013

The first operational squadron of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets passed a milestone Thursday in Yuma when the Marine Corps version of the aircraft made its first vertical landing outside of testing. The first F-35 squadron meant to eventually fly the jet in combat was established in November at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121. Until now the squadron was not allowed to perform the F-35B’s signature feature, its ability to land like a helicopter.

War Drums: Levin, McCain Urge Obama to Use U.S. Force in Syria

03/22/2013

The drums of war are escalating in Washington, audible just beneath the Senate’s tense political debate of a Democratic-crafted budget. But the drums are not beating in the direction of Iran. Syria is the target. All week, amid reports Syrian President Bashir al-Assad’s military used chemical weapons against rebel forces, Democratic senators have joined interventionist Republicans in calling for U.S. military intervention.

Russia Denies Plans to Abandon Syrian Resupply Base

03/22/2013

The Russian Defense Ministry denied on Thursday media reports speculating that Russia will relocate its resupply base in the Syrian port of Tartus to Beirut due to the escalation of the Syrian conflict. “The reports that Russian warships … will use Beirut rather than the Syrian port of Tartus as a resupply point are nothing but pure speculation,” the ministry said in a statement.

Air Force cancels Raptor flights at Water Follies due to budget cuts

03/21/2013

Raptors won’t be roaring through Tri-City skies during Water Follies this summer. “The military has just announced they’ve eliminated all non essential flying due to sequestration cuts. Which means the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command raptors will not be coming to our air show this July,” said Kathy Powell, Water Follies event director.

MBDA awaits launch decision for Anglo-French anti-ship missile

03/21/2013

MBDA hopes to soon advance the development of its FASGW/ANL anti-ship missile for the UK and France, following the latter's near-term release of a White Paper outlining its military investment priorities, says company chief executive Antoine Bouvier.

IAF crashes lose one fighter squadron every 2 yrs

03/21/2013

According to figures released by the defence ministry (MoD) in parliament today, the Indian Air Force (IAF) loses the equivalent of one fighter squadron (16-18 fighters) in crashes every two years. With the IAF repeatedly expressing concern over the declining number of squadrons - now down to 32-33 squadrons against a minimum operational requirement of 42 squadrons - even the induction of new aircraft like the Rafale fighter will not make up the numbers.

Shimon Peres: The US would have to take the lead in military strike against Iran

03/21/2013

As President Obama arrives in Israel today for his first presidential trip to the country, Israeli President Shimon Peres says the responsibility lies with the United States to launch a military strike if Iran's nuclear program advances beyond "the point of return."