military aviation

A U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet receives fuel from a 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-10A Extender over Afghanistan, Oct. 2, 2009.   U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller

As the United States begins its draw-down of combat forces in Syria, Iraq’s air force has been given permission by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to commence combat operations against the remaining ISIS terrorists in the Levant. With this agreement, Iraqi air commanders will be able to plan and execute their own missions without seeking Syrian […]

A Thunderbird Jr. speeds past its larger counterparts at Misawa Air Base during Air Fest 2009 Oct. 18, 2009.   U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse/Released

The Pyramids of Giza appear in the distance as a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III flies over Cairo, Egypt, during Exercise Bright Star on October 15, 2009. The C-17 crew is from the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C. Bright Star is a joint international military airdrop exercise whose purpose is to strengthen and […]

As the United States continue to mull over ways to fund a single capable icebreaker to allow America’s military access to the Arctic, Russia rang in the new year by acknowledging it had conducted more than 100 military reconnaissance and maritime patrol flights over the region using bases it already established during 2018. Moscow claims […]

On Tuesday, a B-2A Spirit from Whiteman Air Force Base’s 509th Bomb Wing kicked off the Rose Parade with an incredible flyover in Pasadena, California. While most of the folks in attendance may have been there to watch the game, aviation buffs were in for a treat when this legendary aircraft came swooping in over […]

Editor’s note: Erik Meisner served in Attack Company, 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment as a rifle team leader with deployments to the Middle East, Central America and Asia. He is also a licensed pilot. When I was a member of 2/75 Ranger, we trained with several forms of close air support. A-10’s, AH-64 Apache’s and […]

F-16 Aggressors fly over the Joint Pacific Alaskan Range Complex looking for enemy aircraft during Red Flag-Alaska 09-3 July 28, 2009, Eielson Air Force Base. RF-A is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise poised at giving aircrews their first 10 flights in combat. The F-16 Aggressors are assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron.   […]

The 107th Arlift Wing and 914th Airlift Wing training together for a recruiting photo oportunity over Niagara falls, July 15, 2009.   U.S. Air Force Photo by TSgt Catherine E Perretta

Earlier this year, the U.S. Marine Corps filed a solicitation to procure their own Russian Mi-24 Hind or Mi-17 HIP transport helicopter with one specific goal in mind: realistic preparation for a fight against Russian forces. Not just that, however, they also want a full contractor staff to support and operate the aircraft against Marines […]

Back in May, a Russian Su-27 fighter intercepted an unarmed U.S. Navy P-8 surveillance plane while flying in international airspace over the increasingly contested Baltic Sea. The intercept, like many before it, was characterized as “unprofessional” by American Defense Officials, but received little fanfare in the American media. Why? Well, in short, it’s because these […]

A B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 328th Air Refueling Squadron, 914th Air Refueling Wing, Niagara Falls, N.Y., conduct aerial refueling over the continental United States on Dec. 10, 2018. The Lancer serves as premier platform for America’s long-range bomber force, […]