From The Cockpit: F-35 Lightning II Demonstrator

I am often amazed at my timing–good or bad. Today I was definitely in the right place at the right time and I just had to share the experience with you all. In an effort to protect the innocent, I won’t say where I was or who I was with, by I am constantly humbled […]

Wisconsin ANG Deploying to Japan

We’d like to extend our best wishes on a safe and successful deployment to the men and women of the Wisconsin Air Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing

From The Cockpit: Thunderbird Solo

I, like many of my friends, was bit by the flying bug thanks to the United States Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron–the Thunderbirds. In my case, I was three years old and it was my first airshow. A hot day on the ramp at what is now Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington. It was […]

From The Cockpit: F-16AM Fighting Falcon Flies Norway’s Fjords

The fjords of Norway were formed when massive coastal glaciers retreated after successive ice ages, leaving deep U-shaped valleys dug out by stone and ice with steep walls and floors now flooded with seawater. Thanks to the warm waters of the gulfstream and air currents peculiar to the region, the fjords remain virtually ice free year-round, […]

Jordanian F-16 Down in Syria

Initial reports are ISIS has claimed the downing of it’s first coalition aircraft, a Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) F-16AM. The government of Jordan is confirming the loss of the aircraft, and as photos indicate, the pilot has been captured. Certainly not good news for the pilot and the Jordanians, who are especially skittish about […]

The Fiends: Oldie But Goodie

Produced by “Jigga” Watts, this video shows much of what is awesome about the 36 FS “Fiends,” stationed at Osan AB in the Republic of Korea. This is one of the more notable videos produced in the F-16 community. It has more or less set the standard for video quality, editing, and music selection…but features absolutely […]

Latest F-35 Problem: Hot Fuel? (Update)

The Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning II has faced many challenges thus far in it’s development and initial production, placing significant delays along the road to reaching Initial Operational Capability. In an article from the USAF’s Air Education and Training Command, SrA Jacob Hartman is quoted saying, “We painted the refueled white to reduce the temperature of fuel […]

UPDATE: Fatal F-16 Crash In Middle East

A United States Air Force pilot was killed when his Lockheed-Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at approximately 2300 EST last night. The aircraft experienced a problem shortly after takeoff and was attempting to return to base when the crash occurred. It is unknown at this time if the pilot attempted to eject prior to the […]

Photo Gallery: Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor

The Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor. It is the most feared combat aircraft ever designed by man. A product of Boeing and Lockheed-Martin, powered by immensely powerful Pratt & Whitney engines, it is a fifth-generation fighter combining the ability to supercruise–that is, achieve supersonic flight without the use of afterburner, low-observable characteristics (read: STEALTH), along with advanced […]

From The Cockpit: C-130J Hercules

Strap in for a front row seat in the cockpit of the Lockheed-Martin C-130J Hercules. Chief Test Pilot for Airlift Aircraft Wayne Roberts makes it look easy as he puts the Super Herc through it’s tactical demonstration at the Paris Air Show in 2011. This crew clearly demonstrates the extreme maneuverability of the Super Herc in the low-level […]

Nice Prop Plane, Russia!

In a lame attempt at geopolitical intimidation, Russia again flies its Bear bombers very, very close to the sovereign airspace of other countries. The real symbolism here, however, comes from the fact these propeller-driven planes—yes, the very same aircraft we used to intercept with F-4s—are getting escorted out of the club by a couple Lockheed-Martin F-22A […]