DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ A Florida deputy who fatally shot a 23-year-old airman in his home may have been in the wrong apartment, witness says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Thomas Novelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"The circumstances surrounding Roger's death raise serious questions that demand immediate answers from authorities, especially considering the alarming witness statement that the police entered the wrong apartment," Crump said. AdvertisementThis photo provided by the US Air Force shows Senior Airman Roger Fortson. US Air Force via APThe sheriff's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the attorney's claims. He reportedly said, "I can't breathe" while on the ground after being shot, Crump said, repeating a witness account of the event. Chantimekki Fortson, mother of Roger Fortson, a US Air Force airman, is comforted as she speaks about her son during a news conference regarding his death.

Persons: —, Roger Fortson, Ben Crump, Fortson, Crump, Roger, GulfLive.com, Chantimekki Fortson, Gerald Herbert, Military.com, Eric Aden Organizations: Service, Special Operations, Business, Sheriff's, US Air Force, AP, Air Force, Florida Department of Law Locations: Florida, Fortson's, Okaloosa, Okaloosa County, Aden

☆ US Air Force team airlifts critically ill passenger from Carnival Venezia in open Atlantic waters
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A US Air Force rescue team airlifted a civilian passenger needing urgent medical care this past weekend from a Carnival cruise ship that was hundreds of miles out in open Atlantic waters. The dramatic May 4 medical rescue involved three helicopter air-to-air refuelings to reach the Carnival Venezia, according to a news release from the 920th Rescue Wing. The mission was carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of rescuers. When the aircraft arrived, rescuers were hoisted down from the helicopters and began preparing the patient for transport, the release said. Neither the 920th Rescue Wing nor the cruise line had further information about the patient’s condition or where he was taken for treatment.

Persons: ”, Dylan Gann, CNN’s Karla Cripps Organizations: CNN, US Air Force, Carnival Venezia, 920th Rescue Wing, Venezia, Patrick Space Force, HC, 130J, King, HH, U.S . Department of Defense, 920th, Wing, 301st Rescue Squadron, ” Carnival, CNN Travel, Air Force, US Coast Guard Locations: New York City, Bahamas, Caribbean, Florida, New York

☆ US military rescued mariners stranded in the Pacific after they used palm leaves to spell 'HELP' on the beach
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The crew of USCGC Oliver Henry rescues three mariners stranded on Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 9, 2024. "This successful operation underscores the effective coordination and partnership between the US Coast Guard, the US Navy, and regional partners," Garcia said. The crew of USCGC Oliver Henry rescues three mariners stranded on Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 9, 2024. The Coast Guard has also carried out more recent searches for individuals who went missing while on cruise ships. AdvertisementThe Coast Guard has long operated in the Pacific — its ships used to patrol American territories and other nearby countries for decades.

Persons: —, Chelsea Garcia, USCGC Oliver Henry, Garcia, Oliver Henry Organizations: Navy, Service, Federated, US Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, US Navy, US Coast Guard, Coast Guard, Coast Guard HC, 130J, Coast, Guard Locations: American, Pikelot, Federated States, Micronesia, Guam, Tuesday's Coast, Yap State, Polowat, China

☆ US Air Force special ops forces are turning big cargo planes into bombers with a new weapon
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Lauren Frias | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Workhorse transport planes fighting as bombersThe rehearsals allow the airmen to rapidly employ a litany of effects via airdrop from airlift platforms, such as the MC-130J Commando II. US Army PhotoTraditionally, the Air Force's workhorse transport planes, like the C-17 Globemaster III and MC-130J Commando II, have aided in the strategic and rapid delivery of fuel and supplies via airdrop. These two types of planes were selected for the initiative because turning them into bombers required fewer modifications and training. Slife said the cargo plane can carry as many long-range weapons as a B-52. This plane, given its size, can carry three times as many long-range precision munitions as a B-52 bomber, according to Slife.

Persons: Jim Slife, Slife, Valerie Knight Organizations: US Army, Air, US Air Force Special Operations Command, Air and Space Forces Association, Business, 352nd Wing

☆ This is what it's like for US Army paratroopers jumping out of giant C-17s for freezing Arctic airborne assaults
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

US Army paratroopers jumped into Arctic terrain at an exercise in Alaska last month. AdvertisementIn the skies above Alaska, US Army paratroopers, loaded with heavy gear, take the plunge out of a perfectly fine airplane into freezing air temperatures and whipping Arctic winds. The experience is quite intense, troops told Business Insider, an adrenaline rush only heightened by doing it in the Arctic environment. Abreanna GoodrichLast month, US Army Pacific hosted a Joint Pacific Multinational Rotation Center training event near Fairbanks, Alaska. Paratroopers with 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, stage onboard a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III prior to conducting an airborne operation in Donnelly Training Area, Delta Junction, AK, Feb. 8, 2024.

Persons: —, Abreanna Goodrich, USARPAC, Molly Treece, Charles A, Flynn, Derek Dion, you've, Donte Smith, Natalie Doan Smith, Spc.Wyatt Moore, Smith, Natalie Doan, David Hanson, it's Organizations: Army, Service, US Army, Business, U.S . Army, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, Pacific Multinational Readiness, Donnelly Training, U.S, Spc, US Army Pacific, Multinational Rotation Center, Boeing, Delta Junction, U.S . Air Force, 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Joint Base Elmendorf, . Air Force, Public Affairs, Paratroopers, U.S . Army 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Public, Public Affairs Detachment Paratroopers, 11th Airborne Locations: Alaska, Fairbanks , Alaska, Hawaii, Delta, AK, China, Russia, North Korea, Wainwright, U.S, Japan, Richardson , Alaska

☆ US Army attack helicopters are making 150-mile deep strike runs in the Arctic, where pilots grapple with frozen equipment and whiteout landings
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Helicopter pilots also have to be able to land in confined spaces, such as a small openings located in dense forests. AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters fly over a mountain range near Fort Wainwright, Alaska, on June 3, 2019. Army via APTowards the end of the recent JPMRC rotation in Alaska, Eifler told reporters about a 150-mile deep strike conducted with attack helicopters. The opportunities, particularly for helicopter pilots, are limitless, Burke told BI. As soldiers told Business Insider during the training in Alaska, if you can master warfighting in the Arctic, you can wage war anywhere.

Persons: —, Thomas E, Burke, Charles Flynn, Brian S, Eifler, Alejandro Peña, Natalie Doan, Cameron Roxberry Organizations: Service, Army, 11th Airborne Division, Business, Pacific Multinational Readiness, Airborne, Readiness, Alaska Army National Guard UH, 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, Base Elmendorf, . Air Force, Blackhawks, Aircraft, Paratroopers, U.S . Army 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Helicopter, U.S . Army, AP, Apache Locations: Alaska, Brig, Gen, Wainwright , Alaska, China, Russia, North Korea, Richardson , Alaska, Wainwright, Japan, Fort Wainwright , Alaska

☆ Fort Smith, Canada plane crash: Fatalities reported including Rio Tinto employees in Northwest Territories
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Sara Smart | Aya Elamroussi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In response to the crash, Fort Smith Health Centre activated its mass casualty protocol around 8:50 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. The crash also drew responses from the Royal Canadian Mounted Patrol, the Canadian Rangers and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Investigators with the Northwest Territories coroner’s office and the Transportation Safety Board were also sent to Fort Smith following the crash. Following the crash Tuesday morning, Fort Smith officials asked to stay away from the crash site to allow officials to respond. “Please be advised that an aviation incident occurred this morning,” the town of Fort Smith said in a post on Facebook.

Persons: Fort Smith, Garth Eggenberger, R.J, Simpson, David Lavallee, Lavallee, ” Organizations: CNN, Rio Tinto, Northwest, “, Fort Smith Health Centre, Northwest Territories Health, Social Services Authority, Royal Canadian Mounted Patrol, Canadian Rangers, Royal Canadian Air Force, Transportation, British Aerospace Jetstream, Northwestern Air Lease, Board of Canada, Northwestern Air Lease’s, RCAF, CNN Canada, CBC News, CC, Hercules, RCMP, CBC, Fort, Facebook, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, TSB Locations: Canada’s Northwest Territories, Fort, Rio, Northwest Territories, Winnipeg, Otter, Yellowknife, Trenton, Calgary

☆ Worried about vulnerable airbases, a US ally landed a F-35A stealth fighter on a highway for the first time in NATO's newest member
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Norway's military did something that's never been done before and landed a F-35A on a highway for the first time. Not only for the Norwegian Air Force, but also for the Nordic countries, and for NATO. Norwegian F-35A taking off from a highway in Finland for the first time. Norwegian F-35A taking off from a highway in Finland for the first time. The F-35A is used by the Air Force while the F-35C is employed by the Navy and Marine Corps aboard carriers.

Persons: that's, Finland —, —, Rolf Folland, Folland, Eivind Byre, Eirik Kristoffersen, Ole Andreas Vekve, it's, Lockheed Martin, Tony Bauernfeind Organizations: Service, Norwegian Armed Forces, Norwegian Air Force, Nordic, NATO, Royal Norwegian Air Force, US Air Force, Air Force, Lockheed, Marine Corps, Marines, Pacific, Navy, Air Force Special Operations Command Locations: Wall, Silicon, Norway, Finland, NATO, Finnish, Nordic, Michigan, Wyoming, Texas, Norwegian, Southern California, Russia, China

☆ The US Air Force's plan to give its biggest planes new missions has gotten China's attention
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

US Air Force officials say they're pursuing a plan to drop "palletized effects" from cargo planes. Minihan said "palletized effects" could include much more than just "kinetic effects" like missiles. There's other kinetic effects, non-kinetic effects, jammers, that if it can fit in the back and can be air-launched" then it could be employed to deliver "decisive effects," Bauernfeind said. "When it comes to palletized effects, I'm not looking for big modifications. AdvertisementAdvertisementA palletized effects system in the air during a live-fire test in Norway in November 2022.

Persons: It's, Brandon Esau, Mike Minihan, Minihan, Tony Bauernfeind, Bauernfeind, Brandon Esau Minihan, Derek Solen, Solen, Brigette, Brigette Waltermire Solen Organizations: US Air Force, Service, Air Force, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Special, Command, Air Mobility Command, Staff, Air and Space Forces, Washington DC, Air Force Special Operations Command, China National Defense, PLA, Communist, Military Commission, US Air, China Aerospace Studies, Science, US Air National Guard / Tech Locations: Wall, Silicon, China, Florida, Norwegian, Norway

☆ US Air Force special operators' search for new runways is expanding from highways to beaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The growing reach of the Chinese military has the US Air Force worried about its bases. Air Force special operators are widening the search, seeking more roads and even beaches to land on. AdvertisementAdvertisementA Royal Air Force Atlas A400M lands on a beach during at Pembrey Sands in Wales in June 2023. Royal Air ForceNew technology and eventually new aircraft are also helping to expand Air Force Special Operations Command's "runway-agnostic options." Air Force officials say that capability allows the MQ-9s to go to more bases and reduces the number of airmen needed for support.

Persons: Tony Bauernfeind, Bauernfeind, Al Udeid, Kenneth Wilsbach, we're, Command Bauernfeind, We're Organizations: US Air Force, Air Force, Service, Force Special, Command, The Air Force, Agile, Employment, Pacific, Air Force Special Operations Command, Operations Command, Air and Space Forces Association, Christopher Quail, US Air Forces, Royal Air Force Atlas, Royal Air Force, US Air Force Special, DARPA Locations: Wall, Silicon, Europe, Washington, Bagram, Kandahar, Balad, Al, Tinian, Palau, Michigan, Wyoming, Texas, Pembrey Sands, Wales

Check Altitude. Check Altitude. Just zigzagging in and out, penetrating different parts of the eye wall and then going back into the eye. As soon as we started to rock a little bit everybody ran back to their jump seats and sat down. You could feel the intensity of the turbulence a little bit more, then a little bit more, and a little bit more.

Persons: I’m, we’re, Keesler Organizations: 130J, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base Locations: Biloxi , Mississippi

☆ See inside a hurricane hunter flight as Idalia became a Category 4
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Victoria Kennedy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

He said the storm was intensifying so rapidly that it would have a ton of spin up tornadoes and rough turbulence. This was called the landfall flight – technically the last flight before the storm made landfall. Inside a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft on a mission over Hurricane Idalia. From the moment we penetrate the storm, he’s focused on the radar, looking for those tornado signatures and rough turbulence. Pilot was ‘kind of new to this’On the flight deck, there are little bunk beds for the pilots.

Persons: Dorian, Victoria Kennedy, Zach McDermott, he’s, I’m, I’ve, biggie, “, ”, ‘, we’re, they’ve, Keesler, McDermott’s, He’s, “ Will Organizations: CNN, US Air Force Reserve, 130J, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Hercules, Idalia, National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Idalia Locations: Bahamas, Biloxi , Mississippi, Florida’s Big Bend, Tampa, Bend, Gulf, Florida, Victoria

CNN —Three US Marines who died when their Osprey aircraft crashed during a military exercise in Australia have been identified by their unit. Air Force CV-22 Ospreys take off from Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, for a training mission. April 8, 2010: US Air Force Osprey crashes in southern Afghanistan, killing three US service members and one civilian employee. August 5, 2017: An MV-22B Osprey crashes off the coast of Australia, leaving three Marines dead. June 8, 2022: Five US Marines die after an MV-22 Osprey crashes during a training mission Wednesday near Glamis, California.

Persons: Corporal Spencer R, Captain Eleanor V, Major Tobin J, Lewis, Collart, LeBeau, “, ”, Brendan Sullivan, Lloyd Austin, Michael Murphy, Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Markus Maier, Samuel King An, Barack Obama, Zachary Dyer, Laura Yahemiak Sailors, George Washington, Supertyphoon Haiyan, Trevor Welsh, stow, Smith, drogue, Christopher Carranza An, Todd F, Lance Cpl, Christopher Mendoza Sailors, Richard, Kevin V, Jonathan Snyder, Cedric Leighton, Bellows Organizations: CNN, Marines, Osprey, Royal Darwin Hospital, AP US, USMC, Twitter, Marine Osprey, Darwin, Northern Territory Police, Australian Defence Force, Northern, Northern Territory Government, CareFlight Air, Mobile Services, NT Health, Care, Tiwi, Government, Air Force, Ospreys, Kirtland Air Force Base, . Air Force, Staff, Air, Special Operations Squadron, Munitions, Systems, Eglin Air Force Base, Tech, Refueler, Squadron, Marine Helicopter Squadron, KC, 130J, Marine Forces Pacific, Greenland . U.S . Air Force, 3d Marine Expeditionary, U.S . Marine Corps, Tiltrotor, Supertyphoon Haiyan . U.S . Navy, Trevor Welsh Sailors, U.S . Navy, Shannon, Travis Air Force Base, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, . Marine Corps, Michalek, Moron Air Base, Cunningham, Tactics Squadron, of, U.S . Air Force, US Air Force, “ CNN, US Defense Department, An Air Force, Corps Locations: Australia, Melville, Northern Territory, New Mexico, Florida, Philippines, VMM, Okinawa, Japan, Brisbane, Greenland . U.S, U.S, Supertyphoon Haiyan ., San Francisco, New York, Michalek U.S, Africa, Spain, Sigonella, Italy, Field, Hamilton Island, United States, Virginia, Arizona, North Carolina, Afghanistan, Morocco, Navarre , Florida, Oahu, Hawaii, Syria, Norway, Glamis , California

☆ After nearly 60 years in flight, US Air Force special operators took their AC-130 gunship to Australia for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

US Air Force special operators took their AC-130J to Australia for an exercise in July. As part of Exercise Teak Action, held in southeastern Australia in early July, US Air Force special operators flew their AC-130 gunship in Australia for the first time since it entered service in 1960s. Australian Air Force/Corporal Cameron PeggWhile in Australia, Air Commandos from US Air Force Special Operations Command's 23rd Special Tactics Squadron and their AC-130Js took part in dry-fire rehearsals in coordination with US and Australian Combat Control teams on the ground. AdvertisementAdvertisementA beloved aircraftA US Air Force weapon systems operator gives a tour of an AC-130J to Australian Air Force cadets at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond during Talisman Sabre in July. A US Air Force crew chief marshals an AC-130J at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond during Talisman Sabre in July.

Persons: It's, Corporal Cameron Pegg, 130Js, Steven Duffy, We've, Duffy, —, Talisman Sabre, Alexcia Givens, Griffin, Tylir Meyer Organizations: US Air Force, Air Force, Service, Australian Army, Australian Air Force, Air Commandos, Squadron, Australian Combat Control, Australian Forward, Control, New, Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond, Talisman, Army Green Beret, Air Force Special, Command Locations: Australia, Wall, Silicon, New South Wales, Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, Japan, Romania, China, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia, Southeast Asia

☆ Japan's military is thinking about how to drop long-range cruise missiles from its biggest panes
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( David Cenciotti | The Aviationist | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Japan is considering using its Kawasaki C-2 tactical transport aircraft to drop stand-off missiles. A Kawasaki C-2 flies around the Hawaiian Islands in September 2022. The Rapid Dragon allows the deployment of long-range cruise missiles using standard airdrop procedures from a cargo aircraft. After successful extraction, the AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range) missiles extend their wings and turn on the engine. The Kawasaki C-2 is a long range twin-engine transport aircraft designed to replace the old C-1.

Persons: Makensie Cooper, JASDF Organizations: Kawasaki, Service, Japan's Defense, Japan Times, US, US Air Force, Japan's Defense Ministry, US Air Force Special Operations Command Locations: Japan, Wall, Silicon, United States

☆ Air forces are ditching runways to prepare their jets to keep operating when enemies aim for their bases
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It is meant to be a test of the British air force's ability to operate away from its main bases. Some air forces moved away from that capability after the Cold War and now have to train for it again. US Air Force/Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes MontijoThe US military has also been planning distributed air operations from unconventional airfields and runways. When done correctly, ACE "complicates the enemy's targeting process, creates political and operational dilemmas for the enemy, and creates flexibility for friendly forces," according to the Air Force's ACE doctrine. Gen. James Hecker, the head of US Air Forces in Europe, said last year that his command was sending airmen to study the Swedish approach.

Persons: Jon Hobley, Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, Smyth, Janis Laizans, Sweden's JAS, Jonathan Valdes Montijo, Phil Speck, James Hecker, " Hecker, Janes, Stavros Atlamazoglou Organizations: Service, Royal Air Force Eurofighter, FGR4, Coningsby, Getty, NATO, Britain's Royal Air Force, Air, Aviation, RAF, REUTERS, US Air Force, Marine Corps, Agile, US Air National Guard, Air Force, Aircraft, US Air Forces, Hellenic Army, 575th Marine Battalion, Army, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins, School, International Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, London, Finland, Finnish, Russia, Sweden, Guam, Estonia, Wyoming, Europe, Swedish, Johns

☆ A US Reaper drone made its first-ever landing in the dirt, breaking away from the 'leash' of traditional runways
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US military recently landed a MQ-9 Reaper drone on a dirt strip for the first time. An Air Force official hailed the exercise as an opportunity to break away from traditional runways. A US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper conducts the first ever MQ-9 Reaper landing on a dirt landing zone during a training exercise near Fort Stockton, Texas, June 15, 2023. For the Air Force, that means learning how to fight from austere locations that provide increased survivability and flexibility. In doing so, a travel pod was attached to the Reaper so it could resupply soldiers who were waiting at the dirt landing zone.

Persons: —, Brian Flanigan, Flanigan, Sgt, Cody H, Ramirez, David Payne , Organizations: An Air Force, Service, US Air Force, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, AFSOC, Special Operations Squadron, Commando, 2nd Special Operations Squadron, The Air Force Locations: Fort Stockton, Texas, Fort Stockton , Texas, Wyoming, Rawlins , Wyoming

☆ Photos capture US special operators landing one of the Air Force's biggest planes on a Wyoming highway
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The event helped train the Air Force to use roads in case runways aren't an option. But that didn't stop the US Air Force from using the roads to land several aircraft — including one of its biggest planes. An MQ-9 Reaper with the 2nd Special Operations Squadron lands on Highway 287 during Exercise Agile Chariot near Rawlins, Wyoming, April 30, 2023. Air Force planes — including the MC-130J and Warthog — have landed on stretches of highway in recent years in places like Michigan, Latvia, and Sweden. And the Air Force Special Operations Command has even explored modifications to the MC-130J to allow it to land in water.

US Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base are now testing a new type of flight helmet. "It is common knowledge fighter pilots have long term neck and back issues," said Maj. Brett Gedman, from the 301st Fighter Squadron. The Air Force's Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet at Eglin Air Force Base. An F-22A Raptor pilot adjusts the Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet before a mission at Eglin Air Force Base on March 24. An F-22A pilot adjusts the Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet before a mission at Eglin Air Force Base on March 24.

☆ Another SEAL parachuting death highlights the inherent danger of US special operators' go-to infiltration method
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Deadly accidentsNaval Special Warfare operators perform a free-fall jump in Alaska in September. The incident, which likely happened during as part of a pre-deployment workup, is still under investigation, according to Naval Special Warfare Command. Despite that danger, however, free-fall parachuting is also extremely valuable as an insertion method for special-operations units. The Navy SEAL community — especially the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, formerly known as SEAL Team 6 — is well-versed in free-fall operations. Most US special-operations units have recognized the value of free-fall parachuting and have incorporated it into their training.

☆ War in Ukraine by the numbers: Mass deaths, billions in aid, thousands of destroyed tanks, and more stats that paint an image of Russia's unprovoked invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | Erin Snodgrass | Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

February 24, 2023, marked the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Billions of dollars of aid has been sent, and Russia has lost about half its fleet of tanks. When his troops invaded on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to quickly sweep through the country and capture Kyiv. Still, the cost of the war — in lives, dollars, and military equipment — has been high. AP Photo/Daniel ColeThe dead and woundedUkrainian refugees are seen after crossing into Poland on March 13, 2022.

☆ The US military is planning for a 'transformative' year in Asia as tensions with China continue to rise
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Amid rising tensions with China, the US military has sought to bolster its presence in Asia. US forces there may see the "most transformative year" in a generation in 2023, a US official said. Major changes to the US military presence in Asia face logistical and political hurdles, however. Other countries have sought more training with the US military or, in the case of Palau, to host US forces. There are opportunities for the US "to expand its access and deepen relationships" in both Northeast and Southeast Asia, said Thompson, a former US Defense Department official, but US leaders will have to reckon with the limits of those partnerships, especially in Southeast Asia.

☆ Caught in 'the green beam': How US Air Force gunship crews let a target know they have it in their sights
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The US Air Force's AC-130 gunship has a reputation for delivering firepower to the battlefield. The green beamAn AC-130J crew identifies a target with green light during an exercise in Florida in May. Ridge ShanWhile discussing the performance of Air Force special-operations crews during the Kabul evacuation, Slife referred to a targeting technology that Air Commandos use and affectionally call "the green beam." AC-130 crews use the green beam — which Slife called a "giant green laser pointer" — both to point things out to friendly forces and to deter adversaries by letting them know that they're in the gunship's sights. Hitting something is not as simple as seeing it, since gravity, elevation, speed, and atmospheric conditions affect the trajectory of the AC-130's artillery and cannon fire, but having those aids is still invaluable for gunship crews.

☆ A US plan to drop bombs from cargo planes hit another milestone, but the Air Force is still figuring out how it would use it in a war
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

US Air Force special operators launched a cruise missile from a cargo plane over Norway this month. The Air Force wants to have more planes that can launch long-range strikes, but there are logistical hurdles. US Air Force personnel load a Rapid Dragon deployment system on an MC-130J before a test in November 2021. Air Force Research Laboratory"The beauty of that capability is it doesn't require any aircraft modifications. We are intentionally trying to be provocative without being escalatory," said Melnicoff, Special Operations Command Europe's lead officer for Operation Atreus.

☆ A first-of-its-kind exercise on a Michigan highway shows the aging A-10 Warthog can still make history
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This summer, the US Air Force conducted a first-of-its-kind test on a Michigan highway. Air Force aircraft landed on a civilian roadway for the first time during a similar exercise in August 2021. 'We own airfield ops'US Air Force combat controllers from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Fort Polk in Louisiana in August 2013. Parker GyokeresThe success of the exercise in Michigan hinged on a little-known career field in the US special-operations community: Combat Controllers. "Setting up an airstrip is one of the most important skill sets" that Combat Controllers have, a former Air Force Combat Controller told Insider.

Search resuls for: "130J"

25 mentions found