Pilot blamed in jet's crash on carrier
The San Diego Union-Tribune has obtained a report on the crash of a VFA-25 F/A-18C BuNo. 164642 on board USS Ronald Reagan at 11:15 p.m., Jan. 28, 2006. This Flash video was converted from the Real Video version on the Union-Tribune's website.
The pilot was an S-3 transition first tour LT with 242 hours in the Hornet including 24 night traps.
The 33-year-old pilot had flown little since the Reagan left San Diego on its maiden combat deployment Jan. 4, 2006. This was considered a factor in the investigation report.
Exhibit highlights U.S.'s first 'Lost Nuke'
The Western Canada Aviation Museum will soon unveil an exhibit that highlights the firt nuclear bomb lost by the United States. A B-36 carrying an inactive Mark-IV nuclear bomb crashed into the side of a mountain northeast of Terrace, British Columbia on Feb. 13, 1950. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Report: German Pilots Train for Combat in Afghanistan
Luftwaffe is training its Tornado pilots for possible combat in Afghanistan as Germany considers a NATO request to send reconnaissance aircraft to southern Afghanistan. German public broadcaster ARD said pilots are currently testing technology that could allow them to bombard targets themselves as the information gathered cannot be transferred to other fighters or ground station securely. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Commander of helicopter base stood down
The commanding officer of Australia's 1st Aviation Regiment has been stood down. A spokeswoman for the Australian Defence Force said the officer had been "asked to show cause as to why he should retain command" of the unit. The unit is converting from the Kiowa Bell Jet Ranger to the Tiger attack helicopter.
Senior Defence Force sources told the Herald that the officer involved is still in the army and has 14 days to show cause as to why he should retain command. External Link | | Permalink | |
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The history of the Black Shark (Part1)
RIA Novosti military commentator Viktor Litovkin contributed a two-part story on the history of the Kamov Ka-50 Hokum.
Boeing, Lockheed vying for A-10 work
Lockheed Martin and Boeing are competing for a contract to replace the wings for the USAF's A-10 fleet. The contract, valued at $1.5 billion, calls for new wing sets on about 200 planes. A winner will be selected in March. External Link | | Permalink | |
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GOP Senator: Confront China Weapons Test
Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl criticized the Bush administration Monday for failing to aggressively confront China over its test of a anti-satellite weapon. Kyl calls for the administration to bolster its defensive and offensive space capabilities and not to trust that China will restrain itself against exploiting space for weapons and other military uses.
Pentagon halts sale of F-14 parts
The Pentagon has halted the sales of surplus F-14 parts after criticism from Congress over the lack of security awareness. Defense Logistics Agency spokesman Jack Hooper said sales were halted last Friday and will remain suspended until a "comprehensive review" is completed. External Link | | Permalink | |
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US Marines say V-22 Osprey will fly well in desert dust
James Darcy, spokesman for the Navy's V-22 program office, said the recent problems experienced by the Air Force with the V-22 in desert conditions can be attributed to an inefficient supply system and inexperienced maintenance planning. "The CV-22 maintenance community has not had as much opportunity to work through the challenges of learning a new aircraft as the MV-22 community. Both the maintenance and the supply issues are to be expected as the community grows and gains experience," Darcy said. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Gray Wolves Home After Prowling Afghan Skies
Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 returned home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) in the early morning hours of Jan. 27 after successfully completing a deployment to Afghanistan.
Air Marshal Fali H Major named next chief
Air Marshal Fali H Major has been named the next Chief of Indian Air Force. He is the first helicopter pilot to be named for the post. The Indian government decided that seniority rules over tradition that only fighter pilots can be chief. External Link | | Permalink | |
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New Harrier Takes Up The Fight Against The Taleban
Two Harrier GR9A aircraft have arrived in Afghanistan from the U.K. after a journey of more than 3500 miles - and just under two hours later they were ready for action flying over UK ground forces combating the Taleban. The 2 Harrier GR9As are replacing 2 of the current Harrier GR7A fleet in Afghanistan and over the coming year the Harrier detachment – operating from Kandahar Airfield - will move to a 100% Harrier GR9A fleet. External Link | | Permalink | |
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New Eyes in a Desert Sky
A Canadian 407 Squadron Aurora is training at the U.S. Marine Corps' Air Ground Combat Centre for the first time. The centre replicates two hypothetical Iraqi settlements and the Aurora is there to explore new applications for its reconnaissance and surveillance capability. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Indian pilots do sorties in Wales
RAF's 208 Squadron has trained 39 Indian Air Force pilots on the Hawk but five trainees failed to make the grade and were chopped.
Deployed maintainers launch 200 perfect sorties
The USAF 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Andersen Air Force Base successfully launched their 200th consecutive B-52 sortie with a 100-percent mission effectiveness rate last week.
Stop Arming Iran Act
This is the U.S. Senate bill by Sen. Ron Wyden seeking to stop the sales of F-14 spare parts that could be illegally exported to Iran.
Missile overhaul creates big savings
The U.S. Air Forces in Europe recently moved to shift serviceable rocket motors from older AIM-120As to and put them in unserviceable newer AIM-120B and C models. The in-house weapon overhaul of 63 missiles saved the Air Force more than $31 million, approximately three years of time and was the largest field retrofit in the AMRAAM's history. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Chief of the Air Staff at Ex Red Flag
During a visit to Exercise Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, RAF Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy took the opportunity to meet RAF personnel from 1115 Flt who are attached to the Combined Joint Predator Task Force.
Small Unmanned Air System Requirements Addressed
In the coming months, the U.S. Navy's PMA-263 acquisition program office intends to hold a full and open competition to fill the requirement for a small, tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS), to be utilized by both the Navy and Marine Corps.
Northrop Grumman Delivers First Navy Mine Detection Pod
Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered the first production Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) pod to the U.S. Navy last week. The ALMDS system is designed to operate from the MH-60S helicopter, using a Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging blue-green laser to detect, localize and classify near surface, moored and floating sea mines. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Iran Must Get Ready to Repel a Nuclear Attack
General Leonid Ivashov, chief of the Military cooperation department at the Russian Ministry of defense and Joint chief of staff of the Russian armies, said that the United States will carry out a nuclear strike against Iran.
Malmstrom Air Base missiles targeted
Gen. Kevin Chilton, commander of the U.S. Space Command, confirmed that fifty Minuteman III missiles at Malmstrom Air Force Base are being targeted by the Pentagon for retirement. Chilton said he is recommending the 50 missiles be kept and used for regular testing of the missile system. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Now, IAF eyes air command in space
India will set up an aerospace defence command to protect itself against possible attacks from space, Indian Air Force chief S P Tyagi said. Tyagi added that the IAF will seek the help of the Indian Space Research organisation to establish the command. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Airborne Laser returns for more testing
The YAL-1A, a modified Boeing 747-400F known as the Airborne Laser, is undergoing a long-term test phase at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards that includes the test firing of the aircraft's low-power lasers in flight for the first time.
'Atomic Annie' finds resting place on base
Kirtland Air Force Base is home to one of eight surviving atomic cannons that the Pentagon tested in the 1950s. Nicknamed Atomic Annie, the atomic cannon was a 280 mm cannon capable of firing nuclear warheads. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Blue Angels looking for officers, enlisted
The Blue Angels hope to recruit three jet pilots, a Marine C-130 pilot and a maintenance officer for the 2008 season and an administrative officer for the 2009 season. The deadline for officer applications is April 30. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Pilot error may be behind crash
Pilot error could be the cause of a mid-air collision between two Ecuadorean helicopters, one with the Defense Minister on board on Wednesday night. The crashed took the lives of the minister, her daughter and five military personnel. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Pilot error blamed in August Predator crash
A civilian contract pilot pushed a wrong button which caused a MQ-1 Predator to crash at Creech Air Force Base on Aug. 3. He pressed a button that shuts down the engine when he wanted to retract the landing gear. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Airman to see combat medal in April
The U.S Air Force has created the Air Force Combat Action Medal, for Airmen involved in combat operations, on the ground and in the air.
Barksdale fliers are source of UFO story
A-10s piltos from the USAF 47th Fighter Squadron were the source of a UFO sighting on Jan. 9. The flares they dropped were mistaken to be UFOs.
NASA eyes Navy missile for research
The AIM-54 Phoenix missile may fly again, this time on board an F-15B, as NASA is toying with the idea of using it for high-speed aeronautics research. With its warhead and radar removed, the Phoenix has a large internal volume for NASA to test a variety of equipment and technology at speeds up to Mach 5.
Thomas Jones, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's principal investigator for the development of the missiles, says the idea is currently in design phase and hopes to carry out captive flights soon. External Link | | Permalink | |
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Search and Rescue Efforts for Navy Aircrew Suspended
Search and rescue (SAR) efforts for the remaining three crewmembers involved in a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter crash Jan. 26 off the coast of California was suspended Jan. 27 at approximately 3 p.m.
Families Ready as Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Deploys
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and attached ships of the Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) surge deployed to the 7th Fleet Area of Operations from Naval Station North Island on Jan 27.
