Fightersweep

[Editor’s Note: To be perfectly clear yet again, we have no partnership with Lockheed-Martin or the F-35 program. In other words, we’re not getting paid by them to write these articles. C.W. Lemoine’s views are his own and do not represent those of the United States Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps. This is just […]

Earlier this month, the United States Air Force–in conjunction with the National Nuclear Security Agency–dropped an inert B61-12 nuclear bomb over the Tonopah Test Range as part of an ongoing Life Extension Program (LEP). Designed and fielded in the 1960s as a tactical nuclear weapon, the B61 measures 11 ft 8 inches long, has a […]

Yesterday, we mentioned the opening salvos of the Battle of Britain, the only campaign in the history of warfare to be fought strictly with airpower. The anniversary was commemorated in London in a variety of ways, to include a changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace where all of the participants were wearing RAF uniforms, […]

Seventy-five years ago today marked the beginning of the end for our friends in the United Kingdom. As precursor to a planned airborne and amphibious invasion of the British Isles–known as Operation Sea Lion, Adolf Hitler’s Luftwaffe began a massive air campaign against England. The British flatly refused to go quietly, so thus began “the […]

Happy Friday, FighterSweep Fans! We all know what this means: another opportunity to admire the brilliant luster of Mach diamonds, have our senses delightfully singed, and go into the weekend with Eau de JP8 wafting through our memories. It is once again Burner Friday! This week we’ve chosen to tantalize your eyeballs with a glorious […]

Ultra-long haul air travel has become standard in recent years. Extremely lengthy routes such as Los Angeles to Dubai, or Dallas to Sydney, or Atlanta to Johannesburg, and many more are flown every single day–with few eyes batted. It’s an amazing feat of the advances in aeronautical engineering, and possibly an even more amazing testament […]

Yesterday we broke news about an F-16 from Shaw Air Force Base and a Cessna 150 involved in a mid-air collision near Moncks Corner, South Carolina. This morning, we can confirm the two occupants of the Cessna were killed in the incident. An experienced pilot with hundreds of hours in the Viper, the F-16’s single […]

With our latest gallery, we would like to honor the men and women of the United States Marine Corps‘ tactical aviation community who have played any role in flying, maintaining, or supporting the F/A-18 Hornet. The USMC Hornet fleet is a great example of the “Do more with less” mentality that we are used to […]

This morning, just north of Charleston, SC, the sky became incredibly small for a Block 50 Lockheed-Martin F-16CJ and Cessna 150. The two aircraft collided around 1100 local time and came down near Old Highway 52 at Lewisfield Plantation. The Viper’s wreckage can be seen strewn across the campground on Berkeley Country Club and in […]

The phasing-out process of the Navy EA-6B Prowlers has finally reached its sad conclusion. Like many of you, the team here at FighterSweep will definitely miss seeing the “Flying Drumstick” wearing Navy markings. She has served the Navy proudly for almost 44 years, playing a role in every major conflict the US has participated in […]

Happy Sunday, FighterSweep Fans! Our celebration of Independence Day continues this afternoon as we go inside the cockpit with the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. I remember seeing the Blue Angels for the first time when I was a young boy. One of the pilots of was a high school classmate of my father’s, which […]

Stars and Stripes. Old Glory. The Red, White, and Blue. It’s a thing of beauty. It’s been the subject of many a tune from Francis Scott Key to Toby Keith. No matter where you look this weekend in the US, you’re bound to see it waving boldly. Respect it, because the sacrifice of tens of […]