Special Purpose

Military Aviation News Archive

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.

Tactical Combat Drones Play a Role In Ukraine Air Defense

03/26/2022

The issue of air power over Ukraine remained center stage this week as NATO heads of state gathered in Brussels to discuss their further support of the country aimed at upholding its right to self-defense against Russia’s invasion.

‘Super Stealth’ Mission: US B-2 Bomber Flies With Australian F-35 Fighter Jets In A ‘Stern Message’ To China?

03/26/2022

On 23 March, a B-2 stealth bomber conducted a mission in the region with five different fighter aircraft from the US Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force, the Pacific Air Forces announced in a press release. A USAF B-2 ‘Spirit’ flew from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, to RAAF base Amberley, Australia. The combat aircraft was linked to the 509th Bomb Wing and became the first B-2 Spirit to land at RAAF Base Amberley, the release stated.

Ukrainian Fighter Pilots Describe Their Desperate Air War Against Russia

03/25/2022

In a conflict that’s so far confounded many expectations, it’s no exaggeration to say that the performance of the Ukrainian Air Force in its response to Russia's invasion has been one of the more surprising aspects. Rather than being wiped out on the ground and in the air in the first few days of the war, as many had predicted, Ukrainian airpower has instead refused to buckle in the face of a much larger and technologically more advanced opponent.

Ukraine tells the US it needs 500 Javelins and 500 Stingers per day

03/25/2022

Ukraine has updated its extensive wishlist of additional military assistance from the US government in the past several days to include hundreds more anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles than previously requested, according to a document provided to CNN that details the items needed.

You can give us 1% of your planes and tanks – Zelensky at NATO summit

03/25/2022

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the NATO summit, has said that the Alliance could provide Ukraine with 1% of all its tanks and aircraft. The head of state recalled that Ukraine had applied to NATO representatives for combat aircraft and tanks, both on a reimbursable and non-reimbursable basis, to prevent deaths among its own population and unblock the cities surrounded and occupied by Russian troops.