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Sunday, July 31, 2005

Air Vectors : The Ilyushin Il-28 Beagle
The Ilyushin Il-28 Beagle is featured in August's Air Vectors.
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Air Vectors : Updates
The following Air Vectors articles were updated recently. The Boeing AH-64 Apache, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Mitsubishi A6M Zero ("Zeke"), North American P-51 Mustang and Lockheed P-38 Lightning.
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Ex-astronaut to dedicate museum's F-14 display
U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Altman, who spent two years as a test pilot for the F-14 program and flew many of the stunts included in the film "Top Gun," was at Grissom Air Museum to dedicate its F-14 display.

We have pictures of the VF-11 Tomcat arriving at Grissom in our gallery.
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Vietnam War flier buried 40 years after plane crash
U.S. Air Force Maj. Arthur D. Baker was laid to rest Friday 40 years after his B-57B crashed over Laos during the Vietnam War.
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U.S. to make initial F-16 shipment to Pakistan
Washington has approved an initial shipment of two older but refurbished F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.
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Black Hawks helicopters to be based in Sydney
Australian Army�s 171 Aviation Squadron will relocate to Holsworthy Barracks near Sydney from the end of next year to boost the ability of Australia�s Special Forces to respond to a terrorist threat on the east coast of Australia. The Black Hawks will be be replaced by the new MRH 90 Troop Lift Helicopter Squadron.
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U.S. Navy chopper makes emergency landing on Kanagawa coast
A U.S. Navy UH3H helicopter made an emergency landing near a beach in Fujisawa, about 80 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, shortly before noon Saturday.
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'Resolution over China arms deal near'
Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita said the dispute between Israel and the United States over Israel's sale of arms to China is nearing a resolution. The deal would give America veto power over Israeli arms sales to selected countries if Washington feels its national security is compromised.
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Boeing's F-15 tries to stay aloft
There are some influential members of the U.S. Congress who wants the USAF to buy 100 to 144 F-15s as insurance against a slip in the JSF program.
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Ex-pilot driving for professional golf glory
Former U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 fighter pilot, Jay Slough, is trying to break into professional golf.
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Boeing loses battle with Bell for Army helicopter order
Boeing spokesman Hal Klopper said "the Boeing team is disappointed" that is lost the ARH competition and "will review the decision over the next several weeks."

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Dole says that Cherry Point could handle more
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole sent a letter to the BRAC Commission chairman stressing the existing capacity of MCAS Cherry Point to handle aircraft from NAS Oceana.
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Brand New Facility At Air Force Base Could Wind Up Empty
A new hangar at Nashville�s Berry Field has nearly been completed but the Pentagon's recommendations for realignment may mean that the hangar could be empty several years from now. The state-of�the-art building for the 118th Airlift Wing is designed to hold two C-130 and one C-17 aircraft.
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Monino Hosts WWII Air Show
A four-day air show kicked off Thursday afternoon at the Russian Air Force museum in Monino, southeast of Moscow. The show allows tourists to see the display of 184 vintage and modern aircraft at the museum.
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Uzbekistan evicts U.S. from air base
Uzbekistan gave U.S. forces six months to move out from Karshi-Khanabad air base.
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Chinook memorial: Parents 'snubbed'
The parents of one of the pilots killed in a 1994 RAF Chinook helicopter tragedy said they had been snubbed over the unveiling of a memorial at RAF Odiham in Hampshire to members of the RAF's support helicopter force.
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Saturday, July 30, 2005

Two Injured in Afghanistan Apache Helicopter Crash
Two crewmembers were injured Jul 29 when a U.S. military AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed during a training mission on a range near Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
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Glacier Girl wows EAA crowd
Glacier Girl, a P-38 Lightning World War II fighter, buried in ice for 50 years in Greenland is wooing crowds at this year�s Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture.
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Air Force to Be Modernized, Says Sultan
Saudi Arabia's second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation said the kingdom plans to acquire new advanced military aircraft and has sent some of its aircraft abroad to be modernized.
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LM Exploring Sea-Based Version Of PAC-3 Interceptor
Lockheed Martin has begun doing significant work on the possibility of adapting its land-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptor for use on ships.
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Pilots make the move to Search and Rescue, learn new techniques
USMC Huey pilots from the fleet who join the Yuma's SAR team need to train for their new and diverse mission of saving lives, focusing on extraction techniques.
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Schrempp departure seen speeding EADS-Thales deal
The departure of DaimlerChrysler Chief Executive Juergen Schrempp could move aerospace firm EADS, in which Daimler is a key shareholder, closer to a takeover of French defence firm Thales, analysts said on Friday.
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Aerojet Awarded Contract to Develop New Technologies for Future Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems
Aerojet has won a contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop new solid rocket motor technologies for application on future Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Systems.
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F-14 to be dedicated tomorrow
A group of naval aviators who will be in Peru Saturday to dedicate Grissom Air Museum's F-14B Tomcat.
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Shakedown flights begin for Hawk Mk 128
The Hawk Mk 128 Advanced Jet Trainer began its shakedown flights on Wednesday at the BAE Systems facility at Warton, Lancashire.
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Navy�s top admiral will testify to save Oceana
Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the new chief of naval operations, will testify at an Aug. 4 hearing of the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission to defend NAS Oceana.
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U.K. May Upgrade Harrier To Extend Life Beyond 2020
United Kingdom may upgrade its Harrier fleet to extend its life beyond 2020. The prospective life extension program could include installing a single Link 16 datalink, improved defensive aids, a helmet-mounted target cueing system, the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) and an updated reconnaissance pod.
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Test team members honored at base
Two newly completed buildings at Edwards Air Force Base that will serve as maintenance buildings for the F-35 joint strike fighter were dedicated in honor of two test team members who died last year.
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Textron's Bell Helicopter Awarded Army Contract to Build 368 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters
Bell Helicopter has been awarded a $2.2 billion contract by the United States Army to build its next generation Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, or ARH. The ARH will replace the Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Helicopter. Bell's ARH is a militarized version of its highly successful 407 single engine light helicopter.

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Predator operators see whole picture
Each MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle mission flown in the Iraqi sky begins and ends at Balad Air Force Base.
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IAF awaits vice-chief
The Indian government failed to nominate a vice-chief of air staff for the Indian Air Force to replace Air Marshal S.K. Malik who is retiring on Jul 31.
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Geren designated acting Air Force secretary
Pete Geren will be the new acting Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, replacing Michael L. Dominguez.
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Friday, July 29, 2005

Radar Vector
Radar Vector is a new blog which I setup in less than 24 hours yesterday to blog news from the civilian world. Everyday when I gather news for Alert 5 from the various sources, I come across many interesting news which are civilian in nature. Thus I decided to start a new blog to share these information. Its not a daily update, although most probably I will update it everyday, so as to focus more on Alert 5. I'm using a new layout for Radar Vector, its much simpler than Alert 5's current layout. I'm still tweaking it but the layout is 90% complete. Hopefully one day I can move Alert 5 to that layout. Take a look, comments are welcome.
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Move on to keep JSF and Raptor (Registration Required)
Lawmakers rallied to protect the F-35 joint strike fighter and F/A-22 Raptor on Wednesday after reports that the Lockheed Martin aircraft projects may be on the chopping block in the Pentagon.
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Watchkeeper green light a massive boost to region
The East of England is set to become a major beneficiary of the �700 million Watchkeeper programme.
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Officials Report on Chinook Incidents in Afghanistan
A U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter made a "hard landing" due to "brown-out conditions" southwest of the city of Spin Buldak on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan late on July 27. A fire broke out and destroyed the helicopter. An investigation of the April 6 CH-47D Chinook helicopter crash near the Afghan city of Ghazni that killed 18 is also completed.
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Delay call over Unst RAF closure
Community leaders have called on the U.K. Ministry of Defence to delay a plan to mothball an RAF base on Britain's most northerly inhabited island.
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Navy affirms 'enormous strategic value'
The U.S. Navy made it clear in a letter to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins that it does not want to see the Brunswick Naval Air Station closed. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission recently voted 8-1 to also add Brunswick to the list of bases being considered for closure.
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Israeli Defense Chief Cancels U.S. Trip
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has canceled a trip to Washington due to new U.S. demands to oversee Israeli weapons exports.
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Iran Claims A Missile Breakthrough
Iran said for the first time Wednesday it has fully developed solid-fuel technology in producing missiles.
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End run around civilian control
The recent revision of Japan's Self-Defense Forces Law which allows the Defense Agency chief to fire interceptor missiles without approval is raising concerns that it runs counter to the constitutional principle that the Diet shall be the highest organ of state power.
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Spy plane's maiden flight over N. Wales
RAF's Sentinel R Mk I, a modified Bombardier Global Express, made its maiden flight from a North Wales airfield.
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Military aircraft searching for plane missing between Vancouver and Smithers
Canadian Forces Buffalo aircrafts and Cormorant helicopters are helping to search for a missing King Air 200 between Vancouver and Smithers.
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Base, ILC keep eyes on launch
At Dover Air Force Base, emergency crews and air traffic controllers were prepared on Tuesday to receive the Space Shuttle in case the mission is aborted in flight.
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Battlelab develops C-5 aircrew night vision system
The USAF Air Mobility Command has approved the C-5 ANViL, or Aviator Night Vision Lighting System, to be used as a portable �clip-on� NVG compatible lighting system designed to improve existing lighting conditions and techniques for C-5 NVG missions.
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GW Reaches Overhaul Milestone as Last Propeller Reinstalled
USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) reached a major milestone during its Docked Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) July 25 as Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN) shipyard workers reinstalled the last of the ship's four propellers.
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Subs, Space, Tankers Critical In Taiwan Conflict, HASC Hears
Submarines, space-based platforms and aerial refueling tankers would be primary U.S. military assets in any conflict with China over Taiwan.
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Thursday, July 28, 2005

Cope North bilateral exercise wraps up in Guam
10 F-4EJ Kais and two E-2C Hawkeyes from JASDF joined 12 U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles for mock combat during the recent Cope North exercise in Guam. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III.

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Shaw F-16s intercept shuttle airspace violator
Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the USAF 55th Fighter Squadron intercepted and escorted a small civilian aircraft three minutes from the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery.
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Multi-national maritime exercise Kakadu commences in northern Australia
Six RAAF F-111, eight RAAF F/A-18, 10 RAAF Hawk aircraft, and a RAAF AP-3C Orion will join a Singapore Air Force F-50 and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3K Orion for multi-national maritime Exercise Kakadu 7 held in northern Australia.
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Officials prepare in case air base cannot be saved
South Dakota's officials are quietly preparing for what would happen if Ellsworth Air Force Base is closed.
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Yuma won't seek reimbursement for wreckage cleanup
Yuma County officials have decided not to ask the military to reimburse them for the costs of cleaning up wreckage from a Harrier jet that crashed into a neighborhood last month.
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Defense planners eye F/A-22, JSF for possible cuts (Registration Required)
Pentagon planners wants to scale back the U.S. Air Force's number of F-35 joint strike fighter and the F/A-22 Raptor as they content that the two jets have little use against terrorist networks and other unconventional threats.
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Food, Water Airdropped As Attempts To Reach Heli Crash Site Fail Again
An elite PASKAU (Special Air Team of the RMAF) unit tried to winch down personnel to a helicopter crash site in Sabah twice yesterday but failed.
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RAF Fairford was ready if shuttle needed to land
When the space shuttle Discovery blast off to space on Tuesday in Florida, more than two dozen people were on standby at RAF Fairford, England in case the shuttle develop problems during the first few minutes and needed a place to land.
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Patroit Missile
Pentagon made a verbal offer to provide a technical briefing on the Patriot Advance Capability (PAC)-3 anti-missile defence system to India during India's Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee visit to Washington. This is not a formal offer to sell the system.
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Ilyushin Lessor's Shares Frozen
Russia's largest aircraft leasing company, Ilyushin Finance, had its shares frozen by prosecutors investigating its management at the highest levels.
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Revised figures may aid efforts to save base
A newly released USAF report claims it will cost nearly three times as much as was originally projected to relocate C-130 cargo planes to Little Rock, Arkansas.
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Taiwan warns Chinese missiles threaten Australia
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has warned that China's missiles not only target Taiwan, but that they can also target Australia, New Zealand, the United States, India and Russia.
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3rd anniversary of air show tragedy to be marked in Lvov
Prayer services were held yesterday in Lvov, Western Ukraine to observe the third anniversary of the worst airshow disaster which a Su-27 crashed into a crowd at an airfield.
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JSF Electronic Warfare System Begins Flight-Tests
BAE Systems has started conducting flight-tests of the electronic warfare (EW) system it is developing for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter on a T-39 Sabreliner.
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Afghanistan: Large Protest Held At Main U.S. Air Base
A crowed estimated to number at least 1,000, chanted slogans against the United States at the main U.S. air base in Afghanistan located in Bagram on Jul 26.
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Tokyo-area bases prepare for tropical storm
U.S. bases in the Tokyo area are preparing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Banyan.
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Full alert declared at air force base for Boeing
A full airport emergency was declared at the RNZAF's Whenuapai base on Auckland's North Shore Jul 28 after one of its Boeing 757 reported a problem with one engine.
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Air Force Releases Two Boeing Small Diameter Bombs in Flight Test
Two Boeing Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) were dropped recently from a U.S. Air Force F-15E, scoring direct hits on two separate targets.
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Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Boeing-led Industry Team and Missile Defense Agency Dedicate Sea-Based X-Band Radar
The Boeing-led Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) industry team and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) officially dedicated the SBX radar at Kiewit Offshore Services in Corpus Christ i, Texas Jul 26.

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Boeing Awards Multiple Contracts for First Phase of FCS Class II and III Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Development
Boeing, teamed with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as the Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, has awarded four multimillion-dollar contracts to three premier industry partners to participate in the first phase of development for two classes of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
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Metal Storm to integrate weapons system into Dragonfly DP-4X Vertical Take Off and Landing UAV
Metal Storm Limited has won a contract from Dragonfly Pictures, Inc. to integrate the Metal Storm 40MM weapons system into Dragonfly�s existing DP-4X Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) / Weapon System, and conduct a live fire test.
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916th wins awards
A tiger-themed KC-135R from the USAF 916th Air Refueling Wing won the Best Presentation Award at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England.
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French military transport planes fly food into starving Niger
A French Hercules C-130 cargo plane on Sunday began flying food into the famine-struck west African state of Niger, where more than a million and half people face imminent starvation.
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Splashing waves of goodwill
Singapore Navy Chief Rear Admiral Ronnie Tay hopes the visit of INS Viraat will be the first of many to come.
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Air Force probes cause of U-2 crash
The U.S. Air Force has convened two separate boards to investigate a U-2 spy plane crash in the Middle East that killed a pilot stationed at Beale Air Force Base.
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Airmen maintain airlift operations in Africa
A team of USAF maintainers works 12-hour shifts to make sure two C-130s are always ready for their mission in Rwanda.
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Seeing a carrier, from the bottom up
Visitors had a rare opportunity to see a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in dry dock when the crew of the Norfolk-based George Washington and Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard showed off the carrier�s freshly painted bottom Monday.
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Timeline: A history of Oceana
This is a timeline of the history of Naval Air Station Oceana.
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F-16 production could go beyond 2010
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. expects to produce another 100 to 200 F-16s to extend the production line to 2010.
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Indonesian attack aircraft grounded following crash
The Indonesian Air Force decided Tuesday to suspend the operations of the remaining nine light attack aircraft OV-10 Broncos following the crash of a Bronco last Thursday that killed two pilots.
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Helicopter Crash: SAR Team Spots Signs Of Survivors
A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Nuri helicopter with eight air force commandos trained in SAR operations are dispatched to rescue survivors of a Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter crash in Sarawak.
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RAF jets 200ft from disaster
A RAF Hawk trainer passed just 200ft under a Flybe plane carrying 42 passengers and four crew last October in a near-miss incident over south-west Scotland.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2005

VFC-12 F/A-18 Legacy Jets Photos
Gerry just uploaded some new photos of VFC-12 Fighting Omars. If you like the photos and you want to post it at some other website or forum, do give the full credit and post a prominent link back to alert5.com. Over the weekend, I caught two person taking the photos from here and posting it at 2 different forums. One took 18 photos from the Viraat folder, put it in photobucket and posted it. The link back to our website was a tiny one at the bottom of one photo which can be easily miss out. The other one was even worse. No link at all! Gerry and I are nice to share our photos without watermarks as we wanted everyone to enjoy them in its original form, so please don't force us to watermark our photos.

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Northrop Grumman's Fire Scout UAV Successfully Fires Test Rockets
Northrop Grumman Corporation's RQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned air vehicle (UAV) reached another important milestone July 22 when the UAV successfully fired two 2.75-inch Mark 66 unguided rockets at Arizona's Yuma Proving Grounds. Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman.

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Supersonic JDAM drop marks increase in Raptor capability
An F/A-22 Raptor, flown by Maj. John Teichert, releases a GBU-32 1,000-pound JDAM at supersonic speed for the first time near California's Panamint Mountain range. U.S. Air Force photo by Darin Russell.

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BAE Receives $31 Million USAF Contract For Radar Warning Receiver Systems
BAE Systems recently received a $31 million production contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide 31 AN/ALR-56M radar warning receiver systems for a new fleet of Air Force and Marine Corps C-130J aircraft and line replaceable unit (LRU) spares for the Taiwan Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.
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From a whisper to a roar on Oceana
Virginia's state official were surprised by the last-minute addition of Oceana Naval Air Station by the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission to its list of downsizing and closures.
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Mirage deal may not come through
Indian defence officials feels that the second-hand Mirage-2000-5 planes from Qatar are "too costly."
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BAE ready to fly first Hawk 128 AJT
BAE Systems expects to fly the first development Hawk 128 advanced jet trainer (AJT) for the UK Royal Air Force this week as it launches a sales campaign built around the latest version of the popular training aircraft. The UK company identifies Greece, Malaysia, Poland, Singapore and Thailand as early targets for the Hawk AJT.
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Rumsfeld: Base loss won�t stop Afghan mission
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Monday that the military could sustain its operations in Afghanistan even if it lost access to a key air base in neighboring Uzbekistan.
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HMS CREWLESS
The Royal Navy is desperately looking for more than 1,000 new recruits to help crew Britain's two new 60,000-ton aircraft carriers.
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Inside Oceana Naval Air Station
Naval Air Station Oceana has four runways capable of handling the nation�s largest military aircraft, two 18-hole golf courses, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a 24-lane bowling alley, a movie theater and horse stables.
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430 Tac Hel Sqn granted freedom of the city
Freedom of the city of Quebec was granted to Canadian 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron.
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Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet Engages Moving Targets with JDAM
Boeing has successfully demonstrated the capability of a single F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to engage moving land targets with JDAM during a test at Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake, California.
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New V-22 Osprey Logistics Support Center Opens in New Bern, North Carolina
A new V-22 Logistics Support Facility officially opened Jul 25 at the Craven County Industrial Park to provide interim logistics support for the V-22 Osprey aircraft.
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Monday, July 25, 2005

Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet makes goodwill visit to Singapore
David Boey has kindly contributed this article on our recent visit to INS Viraat. Thank you very much David.
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EAA aviation fly-in features history-making spacecraft
The world's first successful civilian-built rocket plane, SpaceShipOne, and its carrier aircraft, the White Knight, will make their only planned public appearance together at the 53rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture before the rocket plane goes on permanent display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
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Romania moving closer to base access deal with U.S
U.S. and Romanian officials are discussing a deal that could give the U.S. military access to Romanian bases including the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base.
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`Stealth' director touts film's realistic action
The world premiere of naval action movie, "Stealth," at the Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, Calif., featured a flyover of F/A-18 Super Hornets.
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Former commanders: air base tied closely to airborne efficiency
Former commanders of Pope Air Force Base say paratroopers at Fort Bragg can do their jobs if aircraft are moved elsewhere, as is being proposed, but they say the paratroopers' performance will suffer.
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Aerial photos of Nagasaki A-bomb destruction found
The Japan Map Center has found 29 frames of negatives of aerial photographs of Nagasaki taken by the U.S. military a day after it dropped an atomic bomb on the city in 1945.
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RAF Regiment restructuring - details announced
Four Royal Air Force Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) squadrons will be disbanded as the role is to be transferred to the Army.
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Army blames human error in air accident(Registration Required)
The U.S. Army blames poor crew coordination for the AH-64D Apache helicopter crash in South Korea earlier this year.
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Korean pilots view new fighter for first time at Seymour Johnson AFB
South Korean pilots at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base got their first look at the new fighter jet they will be flying when an F-15K pilot by Mark Snider touched down at the base Friday afternoon.
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Sunday, July 24, 2005

Misawa museum lands an F-16 fighter for its air park
An F-16 from the USAF 35th Fighter Wing is on loan indefinitely as a static display at the Misawa Aviation Science Museum, Japan.
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Air base runway could go civilian
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission believes the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base should become a civilian airport if the military moves out.
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U.S. to carry out inspection flight over Russia, Belarus
An American OS-135 will conduct an observation flight over Russia and Belarus under the Open Skies Treaty between July 25 and 29.
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US offers warships to India for first time
India's Chief of Naval staff Admiral Arun Prakash said negotiations on sale of P-3C Orions were at an advanced stage, but at the same time the Indian Navy might go for global tenders for the purchase of such aircraft.
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MCPON Visits USS Nimitz
Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy (MCPON) Terry Scott paid a visit to the Sailors and Marines of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and Carrier Air Wing 11 July 12-13 as the ship transited the Strait of Hormuz on its way into the Arabian Gulf.
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Air Force in S. Korea wraps up drills to test forces' war readiness
The U.S. Air Force in South Korea wrapped up a routine weeklong exercise Friday that saw pilots attacking mock ground targets and ground crews launching and recovering jets while sweating in chemical suits.
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First view of RAF's agile new fighter
The Eurofighter Typhoon will be on display at the annual Yorkshire Air Show next month.
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Sea diplomacy: Navy to 'exercise' its might
India is using its aircraft carrier as a diplomatic tool to to project power as well as build bridges of friendship.
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Air Guard leaders drafting new plan
The commanders of the National Guard in every U.S. state met on Friday to draft an alternative plan to save Air National Guard units from closing or losing planes.
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'I don't blame them but I hope they mourn the dead'
Sixty years after the dropping of the first atomic bomb. Aircrew who flew the Enola Gay and Japanese victims of the bomb were interviewed in this article.
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Vintage aircraft, and patriotic spirit, set to soar at Eden Prairie expo
Almost 80 veteran military aviators like Robin Olds will be at the 2005 Flying Cloud Airport Air Expo, Eden Prairie, Minnesota to sign autographs.
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Missing Air Force plane found at East Java's Jabung Hill
The wreckage of an Indonesian Air Force Bronco OV-10 was found on Friday morning at Jabung Hill, East Java. The plane's pilot and copilot were found dead.
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Air-to-air tanker plan to save fuel
A report from Royal Aeronautical Society�s Greener by Design group suggests that passenger jets be refuelled in mid-air to save fuel and reduce the environmental damage from flights.
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Report: BRAC Considers Returning Navy Jets To Cecil Field
The BRAC could return some jets to Cecil Field in Florida to relieve Oceana.
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Saturday, July 23, 2005

Potential cruise missile test-launched in China
China is developing a previously unknown long-range tactical missile system.
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Japan approves new missile rules
Japan's upper house has passed legislation that allows the defence chief to order the interception of incoming missiles without seeking Cabinet permission. The lower house passed the bill last month.
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State officials argue to keep 440th in Milwaukee
Wisconsin state officials says the proposal to move the 440th Airlift Wing, which flies eight C-130H transport planes, might have been based on faulty, incomplete data and incorrect assumptions.
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U.S., Japanese forces strengthen ties at Cope North training
The U.S. Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force completed their Cope North training Thursday at Guam.
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Boeing Eyes Sales to Indian Air Force
Chris Chadwick, Boeing Vice President for F/A-18 programs, says that Boeing is willing to transfer technology and co-produce the Super Hornets in India.
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Fighter show to woo forces
The Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy will be given a presentation on the F/A-18 Superhornet�s performance in Afghanistan and Iraq soon.
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Sea King crash report due by year end
The board of inquiry looking into the Australian Sea King crash in Indonesia will hold public hearings next month.
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United States Air Force Tattoo 'exceptional'
The U.S. Air Force Tattoo was held Monday on the U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Lawn at Bolling.
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Officials sue over transfer of Springfield squadron
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit to block the Defense Department's proposal to move the 183rd Fighter Wing.
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Three army officers killed in Aceh military plane crash
An Indonesian Air Force CN-235 crash landed onto an Aceh airport on Thursday, killing three Army officers.
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South Korean pilots complete mission
Eight South Korean pilots and weapons system operators have completed their F-15 training at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
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U.S. advises of plan to support Israeli jets
Pentagon may sell $600 million in equipment and services to Israel for maintenance of the engines on the Israeli Air Force's F-15 and F-16A/B fighter jets.
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Nixon threatens suit over plan to close Guard base in St. Louis
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon says he ready to file a lawsuit to halt the transfer of the Missouri Air National Guard's 131st Fighter Wing.
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Meet LAFB�s ops group commander
Col. David E. Petersen recently assumed command at Laughlin Air Force Base as the 47th Operations Group commander overseeing the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training.
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Fighter-plane Crashes In Lubango
An Angola MiG-23 crashed on Thursday 4pm in Lubango city.
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Friday, July 22, 2005

INS Viraat's Singapore Visit
Thanks to David Boey, defense correspondent from Straits Times, a few of us from the militarynuts forum were able to visit this Falklands War veteran for a 2 hour tour at Changi Naval Base. CDR Vikram Memon from INAS 300 was our host, he took us around the deck and answered questions and we ended the tour at the officers mess for tea. Despite its age, the Viraat is still a very capable ship with all its upgrades. A big Thank You to all the officers and sailors for the very pleasant trip.
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Northrop Grumman Opens Integration Lab to Test and Refine Its Fire Scout UAV for the U.S. Army
Northrop Grumman Corporation has opened its new System Integration Laboratory for the U.S. Army's RQ-8B Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The laboratory provides a place for the Fire Scout team to test and refine the UAV.
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Raytheon Company Awarded $124.1 Million Standard Missile-3 Contract
Raytheon Company has been awarded a $124.1 million contract from the U.S. Navy to
build, test and deliver additional Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) rounds to the Missile Defense Agency to meet the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense deployment requirements.
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Raytheon's Enhanced Paveway(TM) II Successfully Proves Extended Range Capabilities
The U.S. Navy has successfully dropped six Enhanced Paveway IIs at the U.S. Navy's China Lake Test Range.
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Raytheon Delivers Next Generation Anti-Jam GPS Sensor for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Raytheon Company's Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) delivered the first flight-ready GPS system six weeks ahead of its need date for installation in the first F-35 test aircraft.
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Raytheon Focuses Radar Expertise on Ground Targets in Motion
The U.S. Air Force has engaged Raytheon Company to devise a way for aircraft, from a safe distance, to detect, track and target hostile forces in motion on the ground.
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SEAL operates from cockpit of F/A-18
USMC Capt. Aric Liberman, VMFA-212 pilot, served in the U.S. Navy SEALs for more than nine years before becoming a Marine Corps pilot.
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Harrier pilots train with top-dollar simulator
The Radar Night Attack Weapons System Trainer is used to train USMC AV-8B Harrier pilots.
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The fight is on to save Oceana
Virginia�s officials are putting up defences against the possible closure or downsizing of the Oceana Naval Air Station.
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General: Don't let the 'air' out of Air National Guard
Members of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and the National Guard officers voiced concern that plans to strip aircraft from dozens of Air National Guard units could harm homeland security.
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RAF makes great showing at RIAT 2005.
The Royal Air Force provided many of the highlights of this year's Royal International Air Tattoo held over the weekend of 16th and 17th July at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.
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Boeing team lands on Friday for Hornet deal
A Boeing delegation will be in New Delhi to pitch their F/A-18s and explain the technical snag that affect the IAF Chief's flight during the recent Paris Air Show.
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USS Tuscon launches Tomahawk IV in West Coast test
USS Tuscon, a submerged Los Angeles-Class submarine, launched a Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile off the coast of southern California.
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State targets Virginia air base
A group of North Carolina lobbyists and local and state leaders will be meeting to brainstorm ideas for attracting the U.S Navy to position jets from Oceana to North Carolina if the base is closed.
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Pentagon Concerned About Missile Threat
The head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency says he wants to address the theoretical threat of short-range ballistic missiles coming from ships off the U.S. coast.
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Putin signs law on Russian air base with Kyrgyzstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill ratifying the agreement with Kyrgyzstan on the status and operating conditions of the Russian air base in Kyrgyzstan.
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Vietnam-era fighter plane heading for display at Museum of Aviation
A restored F-100C will be displayed at Museum of Aviation, Georgia.
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Blackhawk helicopter lands at summer fest
Members of the U.S. Army 106th National Guard flew a Blackhawk to Big Bear Lake in Vernon Hills' New Century Park to thank the local community for their support while they were in Iraq.
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Great Falls pitches keeping MANG jets
Montana's community leaders seeks to keep the 120th Fighter Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
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Vandenberg launches Minuteman III
An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
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No plans to send Hunter UAVs to South Korea, Army officials say
The U.S. 8th Army public affairs chief Lt. Col. Tom Budzyna clarified that there are no plans to deploy the Hunter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to South Korea.
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Thursday, July 21, 2005

INS Viraat visit in Singapore
I just came back from a 2 hour tour of the Indian Navy's sole aircraft carrier, INS Viraat. The pictures will be process tomorrow but here is a sneak peak of what to expect.

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Final Tomcat launch from USS Harry S. Truman
One of the final F-14B Tomcats to launch from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) receives an impromptu send-off from Sailors assigned to VF-32. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kristopher Wilson.

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Lobbyist for Boeing faces ethics probe by Pentagon
The Pentagon's inspector general is investigating whether the U.S. Air National Guard's former director violated federal ethics law by accepting a job as a lobbyist with Boeing Co. only three months after he retired from the military.
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HAL, Snecma sign agreement on JV
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Snecma will form a joint venture to build components for the Ardiden, a new helicopter engine that Snecma is developing. The engine will be tested on HAL�s advanced light helicopter.
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Hornet pilot�s remains found
The remains of a pilot killed in the collision of two Navy Super Hornets Monday over China Lake Naval Weapons Station, Calif., were found by searchers the following day near the wreckage of the pilot�s F/A-18E Super Hornet.
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Milwaukee C-130 crew earns flying award
Six reservists earned the 2004 U.S. Air Force Association Outstanding Reserve Aircrew Award for safely landing their C-130 Hercules after it was damaged by enemy ground fire.
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Pope, AFIT added to list of potential base closures
Base Realignment and Closure Commission added Pope Air Force Base and the Air Force Institute of Technology to a list of potential closings.
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Chief of Royal Malaysian Air Force visits Viet Nam
General Dato Sri Nik Ismail bin Nik Mohamed, Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, wrapped up a four-day visit to Vietnam on July 20.
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Lockheed to begin US101 testing
Basic avionic and systems testing for the US101 presidential helicopter will begin in the fourth quarter on an EH-101 craft.
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Bell CEO Thanks Employees for Contributions to V-22 Program
This is an internal email made available to public from Chief Executive Officer Mike Redenbaugh to Bell employees on the recent V-22 milestone.
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Navy to argue for N.C. landing field to federal appeals court
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments by the U.S. Navy that it urgently needed to build a practice airfield in eastern North Carolina despite a lower court decision that the plan failed to fully consider the environmental impact.
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FLIR Systems Awarded Contract to Provide Star SAFIRE(R) HD(TM) Systems to Republic of Korea
FLIR Systems, Inc. will supply its most advanced airborne thermal imaging system, the Star SAFIRE(R) HD(TM), to the Republic of Korea (ROK) as part of the Korean Navy's P-3 Lot II Maritime Patrol Aircraft program.
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U.S. airline industry doubts anti-missile technology
James May, chief executive of the Air Transport Association, says the anti-missile technology to be tested on U.S. airliners will not protect all aircraft from all types of missiles and is not worth the massive investment.
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Rolls-Royce wins defense contract to enhance military helicopters
Rolls-Royce has been awarded a defense contract to produce Infrared Exhaust Suppressors for U.S. Special Operations Command MH-47 Chinook helicopters.
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Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman Longbow JV Awarded $13 Million Contract for Longbow Fire Control Radar Life Cycle Support
The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) awarded a $13.3 million contract to Longbow Limited (LBL) for Life Cycle Contractor Support (LCCS) of the Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR).
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Multi-million pound 'Spy in the Sky' Watchkeeper programme announced to Defence Secretary
U.K. Defence Secretary John Reid has given the green light for the Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicle programme.
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U.S. Army Probing Handling Of Documents In Helicopter Programs
The U.S. Army says it is investigating why contractors eyeing the Light Utility Helicopter and Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter competitions possessed documents they were not supposed to have.

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Lockheed Martin Receives Contract to Start Upgrade Program for Turkey's F-16s
Lockheed Martin received a long-lead contract, valued at approximately $67.7 million, from the U.S. Air Force to begin development of a major systems upgrade of Turkish Air Force F-16 aircraft.
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New Jet for Whidbey
The U.S. Navy will based the EA-18G at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station when it enters service.

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Wednesday, July 20, 2005

EADS: Today's Greek fighter procurement is not against Eurofighter
EADS believes that the Greek order of 30 F-16s is for filling the gap in the HAF jet fighter fleet due to attrition and to satisfy an interim need of third-generation aircraft. EADS is convinced that on one of the forthcoming National Security Council (KYSEA) meeting, the Eurofighter will be the number one aircraft for the HAF.
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Greek govt to buy 30 Lockheed Martin F-16s worth 1.1 bln eur
The Greek government will purchase 30 F-16/Block 52 fighter aircraft with the option of 10 more, Greek Defence Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos said.
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Nimrods are flying high in air trials
Less than a year since its maiden flight, the Nimrod MRA4 is continuing to impress during its trial flights.
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Rivals Vie for US Army Cargo Program
Competitors for the contract to provide the U.S. Army with new cargo aircraft recently began more aggressively marketing their respective offerings.
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Gov't to develop unmanned spy drones
Japan's Technical Research and Development Institute plans to produce two prototype high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned reconnaissance aircraft by fiscal 2012.
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B-1 consolidation concerns panelist
Former Transportation Secretary Samuel Skinner, a member of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, challenged the Pentagon's plan to consolidate the B-1B fleet by closing Ellsworth Air Force Base at Rapid City.
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Athena Technologies Announces Contract to Develop Damage Tolerance Technology for Air Combat Vehicles
Athena Technologies, Inc has been awarded a contract by the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) program to develop a new technology for UCAVs to survive an adversary's attack and allow the air vehicle to sustain flight and potentially continue its mission.
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General: Eielson could host exercises 8-9 months a year
Gen. Michael Moseley believes the real value of Eielson Air Force Base is hosting Cope Thunder.
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Tenure of presence of the American Air Base to be discussed
Acting President of the Kyrgyz Republic K. S. Bakiyev confirmed his intention to question the United States on tenure of the American Air Base on the Kyrgyz territory.
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Malaysia Puts C-130 Upgrades on Hold
The Malaysian government has decided to put its supposedly high- priority C-130 modernization program on hold following intense lobbying by France to consider the purchase of new Airbus A400M military transports instead.
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Bases in Calif., Maine, Va. Added to List
BRAC has voted to close the Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine and reduced even further or shut down Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia.
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Canada's top guns need training, officer says
Lieutenant-Colonel Dave McComb, former CO of Canada's 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron, Canada has to augment its combat air training to counter terrorist threats.
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xwave to deliver airborne mission system to Airbus Deutschland
xwave, an Aliant Company, has signed a contract with Airbus Deutschland GmbH. to supply hardware and software for the Air-to-Air Re-fuelling (AAR) mission management system for airborne use on German and Canadian air force Airbus A310 Multi-role Transport Tanker (MRTT) aircraft.
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2 Hurt, 1 Missing After Fighter Jets Crash
One pilot is still missing from the Super Hornets collision over China Lake.
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Boeing Awarded $31.2 Million C-17 Globemaster III Upgrade Contract
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $31.2 million contract modification to upgrade 25 additional C-17s Globemaster IIIs with the Northrop Grumman Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures, or LAIRCM, defensive system.
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Sea King mission a "nightmare'': Senator
Canada plans to refit eight Sea King helicopters and deploy them to Afghanistan.
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USAFE supports Royal International Air Tattoo
More than 20 U.S. Air Force aircraft from bases worldwide took part in the two-day Royal International Air Tattoo.
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Tuesday, July 19, 2005

US to Deploy Upgraded Spy Planes
The United States Forces Korea (USFK) will deploy the Hunter UAV to replace the Shadow 200 Tactical UAV.
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Russia might participate in helicopter tender again -- Turkish Premier
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had announced that Russia might have another chance at a tender on the sale of helicopters to Turkey.
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Network-centric warfare takes flight
Global Hawks performed about 5 percent of the surveillance missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, but the vehicles were responsible for collecting about 55 percent of the information on time-sensitive targets.
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Williams wins contract for Javelin jet engine
Williams International will supply FJ33 turbofan engines for the Javelin jet. ATG has one contract so far for the military trainer version.
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Chinese defense minister meets ROK air force chief
Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met in Beijing on July 18 with Lee Han Ho, chief of staff of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).
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Arms agreement means no Global Hawk for South Korea
Lt Gen Jeffrey Kohler, commander of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), says in an interview that RQ-4 exports to South Korea are unlikely due to the Missile Technology Control Regime pact restricting sales of UAVs that could be used to deliver weapons of mass destruction.
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Air power in counter insurgency is an option: Air Chief Tyagi
Indian Air Force Chief said the use of air power in counter insurgency was an option in "special circumstances."
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We have liftoff on homemade choppers
The Australian Government Jul 18 unveiled a $25million expansion of the Australian Aerospace helicopter production facility in Brisbane as the army took delivery of its first locally built "Tiger" armed reconnaissance helicopter. The helicopter delivered represented the first of 18 to be built in Brisbane over the next four years.
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Spy gear may not fit in Embraer plane
Embraer is waiting to learn whether it will be replaced as the airframe provider for the U.S. Army Aerial Common Sensor program..

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Northrop Grumman Awarded $109.8 million Long Lead Material Contract for LHA(R)
The U.S. Navy has awarded a contract valued at $109.8 million to Northrop Grumman Corporation for advanced planning, long-lead material and systems engineering on the LHA(R) amphibious assault ship program. The LHA(R) will be the U.S. Navy's newest amphibious assault ship, incorporating enhanced aviation capabilities centered around the STOVL F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and the V-22 tilt-rotor Osprey.
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The Rolls-Royce of flying history
The AirSpace Centre, when completed in 2007, will become the largest space for the display of aviation heritage in Europe, and the second largest in the world after the national U.S. Air Force museum in Ohio.
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ISRAELI-ORIGIN UAV COMPLETES TEST FLIGHTS
The Hunter-2 demonstrator has completed a series of tests for the U.S. Army as part of the U.S. Army's Extended Range/Multi-Purpose [ER/MP] program.
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Two fighter jets crash over Mojave Desert
A F/A-18E and a F/A-18F collided in mid-air during training over China Lake on Monday. Both pilots were taken to Ridgecrest Regional Hospital in serious condition.
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Pentagon says Pope base won't lose all Air Force personnel
In a letter dated July 14 to the Base Closure and Realignment Commission, the Pentagon said five U.S. Air Force units would remain at the Pope air base after two wings that command cargo and fighter planes are sent elsewhere.
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Navy could need new jet base in a decade, admiral says
Adm. Robert Willard, the vice chief of U.S. naval operations, said that once the F-35 begins reaching the fleet around 2012, the Navy may need to develop a new "master jet base" to accommodate it and today's F/A-18.
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Eurofighter jet 'seconds from disaster'
The pilot of a Eurofighter Typhoon jet narrowly avoided crashing his aircraft during rehearsals for the show at RAF Fairford.
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Chinese FC-1 faces export hurdle
Russian engine manufacturer Chernyshev Moscow Machine Building Enterprise has banned China from exporting its RD-93-engined FC-1 attack fighter aircraft to Pakistan to avoid upsetting India.
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Enhance "Aerospace Power" for strategic needs, says Air Chief
Indian Air Force Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, said that the IAF will play a major role in protecting the northern parts of the country.
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Indian aircraft carrier visit
Indian navy aircraft carrier INS Viraat along with four supporting vessels, will dock at Port Klang, Malaysia on Saturday.
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Boeing Awarded $41.5 Million Apache Reset Contract
The U.S. Army awarded Boeing a $41.5 million contract for the refurbishment of 70 Apache AH-64 Helicopters under the Reset program.
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Reservists airlift dolphin to Florida
A crew from U.S. Air Force Reserve Command�s 815th Airlift Squadron helped airlift Noah, a rough-toothed dolphin, from Texas to Florida.
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Monday, July 18, 2005

AFM aircraft in ground collision
An Armed Forces of Malta Bulldog aircraft with two persons on board was involved in a ground collision with an Enemalta vehicle Jul 16.
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Flying force-multiplier provides eyes forward
A 7-pound remote-control aircraft is helping the USAF 379th Security Forces Squadron to �see� threats like insurgents and possible land mines in Iraq.
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US has sealed deal on Japan's licensed production of PAC-3 missiles - report
Washington has concluded a deal to allow Japan's licensed production of Patriot Advanced Capability 3 missiles. Lockheed Martin Corp is expected to sign a contract before March 2006 to license Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd with PAC-3 production.
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Mi-8 helicopter crashed after colliding with a mountain - source
The most likely reason for the Mi-8 helicopter crash on Saturday in Chechnya was a collision with a mountain.
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U.S. Contribution to Darfur Airlift Operation Begins
A U.S. Air Force advanced team and a C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft loaded with support equipment deployed to Kigali, Rwanda, July 14 to provide logistical and airlift support of Rwandan forces as part of the African Union's expanded mission in the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan.
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Talks start with US on Trident's �15bn successor
U.K. defence secretary, John Reid, has authorised officials to begin negotiations with Washington and with defence companies on a successor to Trident.
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PAF's High Mark-2005 War Games, Largest Deployment In History Of Pakistan
Pakistan Air Force plans to conduct its largest ever air exercise this year. The planned exercises would include one prototype of JF-17 Thunder aircraft to test the aircraft in war time situation.
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Missile defense in place in Alaska, but will it work?
Since Jul 22 last year, six missile interceptors have been placed in silos at Fort Greely, Alaska and two others at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
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Japan, US reach accord on airspace control over US base in Tokyo - report
Japan and the United States have reached an agreement on the return of Yokota Air Base's airspace control over Tokyo and its vicinities to Japan by 2009.
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Sunday, July 17, 2005

VFA-103 Safe for Flight Certified
VFA-103 got their safe for flight certificate on Friday at 1400hrs and the CO and XO wasted no time in getting AG 200 and AG 201 out for an afternoon flight.

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V-22 Osprey to be tested in Santa Fe
A V-22 Osprey will undergo testing from Aug. 2 to Sept. 30 at the Santa Fe Municipal Airport.
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USFK commander offers condolences for crash victims
U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Leon J. LaPorte expressed condolences Friday for the four South Korean air force members killed in two separate crashes Wednesday.
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Families fault UTC, Sikorsky, GE in fatal helicopter crash
Family members of two U.S. Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon pilots killed in a crash in Italy two years ago have filed lawsuits against the companies that built the aircraft, accusing them of negligence.
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Mi-8 chopper crashes in Chechnya
A Mi-8 chopper escorted by two Mi-24 helicopters crashed in Chechnya.
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Pilots earn DFC medals for close-air support mission
USMC Lt. Col. Mike Franzak and Capt. Mike Trapp were awarded the Distinguished Flying Crosses for saving a ground combat team in Afghanistan�s central mountain region on Aug. 25, 2003. This is the first time for Harrier pilots in 15 years, and the first of the medals given for Afghanistan operations.
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PR battle looms next for Osprey (Registration Required)
USAF Col. Craig Olson, the V-22 program manager, wants to dispel perceptions of V-22 as unsafe and overpriced.
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Former POW awarded long-overdue Purple Heart
Lloyd Kilmer, who flew B-24 Liberators in the 8th Air Force, was awarded the Purple Heart at Luke Air Force Base.
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North Carolina Crash Is Second in a Month for Marine Harrier Jet
For the second time in a month and the 152nd time in 34 years of flight, a U.S. Marine Corps Harrier attack jet has crashed during a noncombat mission.
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Boera ready to take command of Andersen wing
Col. Michael R. Boera is to assume command of the 36th Air Expeditionary Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during a change-of-command ceremony Monday.
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Typhoon hailed as 'awesome' by Reid
U.K. Defense Secretary Dr John Reid described the Eurofighter Typhoon as "awesome" at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
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Tejas PV-2 version to be ready soon
The Prototype Vehicle-2 (PV-2) version of Light Combat Aircraft will be ready soon.
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Misawa airman busted one rank, docked pay for hacking
A USAF airman was caught trying to decrypt the Misawa Air Base�s user name and password file and was sentenced to 10 days of confinement and reduced in rank to E-2.
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Pentagon says long-term goal is to replace Oceana
Oceana Naval Air Station will ultimately be replaced by �a new, 21st century Master Jet Base� elsewhere on the East Coast.
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Plan to land shuttle here
Australia's Amberley RAAF base has been placed on stand-by in case of an emergency landing by space shuttle Discovery.
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Rossi takes command of Army Patriot missile brigade
The U.S. Army 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade has a new commander Friday following its first change-of-command ceremony on the Korean peninsula.
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Saturday, July 16, 2005

Defence Secretary witnesses RAF Typhoon debut at RIAT
U.K. Defence Secretary John Reid watched the RAF's Typhoon aircraft in action at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford.
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The LCA puzzle
Pervez Shamim was nice to point out this article in Frontline magazine about the LCA project's future.
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Ecuador will not renew air base agreement with U.S.
Ecuador will not renew an air base agreement with Washington allowing the United States to use an Ecuadorian air base to combat drug trafficking.
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Northrop, BAE to test US anti-missile defense on airliners - report
The U.S. government will begin testing anti-missile laser defense equipment on three airliners next month.
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No one hurt in Cherry Point crash
A U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point AV8-B Harrier crashed on Jul 14.
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World War II fliers leave a lasting gift for revered aircraft
The P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association held its last gathering as attendance have fallen from 1,500 to 130.
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Patriotic Fighter Pilots
The daily life of a typical South Korean fighter pilot.
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58th Fighter Association conducts 20th reunion (Registration Required)
The 58th Fighter Association members joined by some family and friends held their 20th reunion in the Washington, D.C. area in June 2005.
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Navy Tells BRAC Oceana Best East Coast Alternative - For Now
The U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense says Oceana Naval Air Station was the best option to base the east coast tactical aviation squadrons for now.
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Pentagon defends Air Guard changes
The Pentagon on Friday stood by its plans to shut down or shift nearly 30 Air National Guard units, despite legal questions from the Base Closure and Realignment Commission that it may not have the authority to do so.
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City woman's flying tribute
An all female flypast over London by the RAF took place last weekend to commemorate the women in the Second World War.
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Naval pilots to train in US academy
India is going ahead with plans to train Indian naval fighter pilots, especially for carrier landings and take offs with the U.S. Navy.
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Top Chinese general warns US over attack
Chinese General Zhu Chenghu said on Thursday that China is prepared to use nuclear weapons against the U.S. if it is attacked by Washington during a confrontation over Taiwan.
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Navy ace to politician, Cunningham had it all
Randy "Duke" Cunningham has his fare share of scandals during and after his naval career.
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Marines take to the skies over Europe
Exercise Clean Hunter at the Polish 31st Air Base in Poznan, Poland saw the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 134 , Marine Aerial Refueling Squadron 452, and Marine Aerial Logistics Squadron 41 came together for the exercise.
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House Rejects China Arms Sales Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday rejected with a vote of 215 to 203, the "East Asia Security Act" which will impose stiff penalties on European firms selling weapons to China.
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Wife sues over RAF airfield death
A widow is suing the U.K. Ministry of Defence for compensation after her husband died when their plane nose-dived and crashed at St Mawgan RAF base. She claims an RAF helicopter was too close.
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IAF under US pressure in aircraft deal with Qatar
Industry sources said the Indian Air Force offer of around $375 million to Qatar for 12 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft clearly signified that India was not serious about acquiring the fighters.
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Ness Technologies Receives Israel Defense Prize From President of Israel
Ness Technologies, Inc. has received the 2005 Israel Defense Prize for developing a leading edge visual intelligence system currently being used by the Israeli Air Force.
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Army UAV Center of Excellence to be at Rucker
The U.S. Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., has been designated as the new Army Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Center of Excellence.
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UK's BAE chairman urges fewer U.S. export controls (Registration Required)
Dick Olver, chairman of Britain's BAE Systems Plc, said that U.S. export controls could hamper U.K. efforts to share its expertise on short take-off and vertical landing for the F-35.
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F-16 pilots provide support for troops on the battlefield
The USAF 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron�s F-16 Fighting Falcons provides support for ground commanders across the whole Iraq.
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Four Air Force Pilots Confirmed Dead
Four South Korean Air Force pilots have been confirmed dead after their F-4E and F-5F crashed on Wednesday night.
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Air force to upgrade Sukhois and MiG-29s
The Indian Air Force will upgrade the first lot of Sukhoi-30s and some MiG-29s as part of its ongoing modernisation programme.
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Japan could sell new missiles: Ono
Japan's Defense Agency Director General, Yoshinori Ono, says interceptor missiles it was developing with the United States could be sold to third countries if the United State requested it.
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Yuma wants reimbursement for Harrier crash recovery
Yuma County plans to submit a claim for federal reimbursement of the costs of responding to the crash of a AV-8B Harrier in a Yuma neighborhood on Jun 15.
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BRAC: New hope
The U.S. Air Force plans to double the unmanned aerial vehicle fleet and send half of the new UAVs to Grand Forks Air Force Base.
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Student pilots receive non-judicial punishment
11 USAF officers were removed from pilot training after being caught cheating on emergency procedure quizzes during the T-37 phase of specialized undergraduate pilot training..
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Lockheed Martin Awarded $124 Million Contract for Japanese Sea-Based Missile Defense Capability
Lockheed Martin announced that it has been awarded a $124 million, three- year contract to provide the Aegis BMD Weapon System upgrades for the first of a planned group of four Japanese Kongo-class destroyers, DDG 173.
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U.S. Navy Awards Lockheed Martin $49.8 Million Contract to Begin Next Phase of MH-60R Helicopter Integration
Lockheed Martin has received a $49.8 million award from the U.S. Navy to integrate anti-submarine and surface warfare subsystems on board six new MH-60R multimission helicopters.
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Friday, July 15, 2005

Belgian F-16 jets fly into Kabul for poll security
Four Belgian F-16s flew into Kabu, Afghanistan on Jul 13 for peacekeeping mission.
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Rs 4 crore down the drain in development of LCA
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is seeking an explaination on why the Defence Research Development Organisations bought two data recorders for the LCA when only one was necessary.
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Navy, Air chiefs receive highest French award
Pakistan's Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Shahid Karimullah, and Air Chief, Kaleem Saadat, were decorated with the Legion of Honour by the French President.
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Marines celebrate 100,000-hour safety milestone
VMFA-332 will be the first squadron in the service to fly 100,000 hours without a major accident.
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Plane leads nostalgia mission
Former B-24 radio operator, George Harlow, and many other former B-24 aircrews will visit the Commemorative Air Force's B-24 Liberator parked at Waukegan Regional Airport this weekend.
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The First Hellenic Serial Production NH 90 Flies at the Eurocopter Marignane Facility
The first Hellenic serial production NH90 successfully took to the air Jul 13 for a 95 minutes flight.
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Airbus, Sikorsky tangled with export snag facing Boeing
Airbus and Sikorsky took great pains to remove gyrochips which can be used on military planes to avoid trouble with the U.S. State Department.
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Navy's N.C. airspace bid set back
A U.S. federal judge on Wednesday rejected the U.S. Navy's conclusion that reserving 900 square miles of Eastern North Carolina airspace for pilot training would cause no environmental harm to four wildlife refuges and a national seashore.
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Boeing ScanEagle to Achieve European Air Show First
The Boeing ScanEagle will become the first fixed wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to fly at a European public air show, when it takes to the skies at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, July 16 - 17.
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Bell Boeing Team Supports V-22 Media Day
The U.S. Marine Corps Tiltrotor Test and Evaluation Squadron in New River, N.C., hosted media from around the nation to share highlights of the recently completed Operational Test and Evaluation and provide a look at where the program currently is and what milestones are yet to come for the V-22.
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OLF opponents take arguments to D.C. representatives (Registration Required)
Twin sisters, Christy and Jennifer Ange, traveled to Washington D.C. to broaden their battle against the U.S. Navy�?s plan for a practice landing field in North Carolina.
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Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Complete Development of Radar Upgrade for U.S. Air Force F-16 Aircraft
Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a three-year contract from the U.S. Air Force to finish developing the AN/APG-68(V)10 replacement "kit" that will improve performance and enhance reliability in approximately 240 F-16C and D fighter aircraft.
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IAF to induct upgraded Jaguars, Lakshya aircraft
India's Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee will hand over Friday nine local upgraded Jaguars and the first Lakshya aircraft to the Indian Air Force.
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3 Firms Vie for Early Aircraft Warning System
Boeing, SVC and IAI ELTA have submitted bids for South Korea�s $2 billion order of early aircraft warning systems.

Anybody heard of SVC before?
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P-8A MMA team earns NAVAIR Commander's Award
The P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) System Development and Demonstration (SDD) team has received the NAVAIR Commander's National Award for Program Management.
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Overseas deployment of INS Viraat & eastern fleet ships to South East Asia
The Indian naval aircraft carrier INS Viraat, accompanied by four other Indian naval ships will be visiting Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia from next week.
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List of this year's air show flying acts and displays (Registration Required)
This is the list of flying displays at this weekend's Dayton Air Show.
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Global Hawk Unmanned System Reaches 7,000th Flight Hour While Supporting War on Terrorism
Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk reached its 7,000th total flight hour on June 22 during a combat mission supporting the global war on terrorism.
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2 Fighter Jets Crash
One pilot was killed and three were missing when a South Korean F-4E and a F-5F each went missing on separate training missions eight minutes apart.
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V-22 gets OK for production (Registration Required)
Bell Helicopter's manufacturing processes on the V-22 Osprey program have improved enough to justify full production of the aircraft, Pentagon's Defense Contract Management Agency said in an e-mailed statement Tuesday.
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