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☆ A US Air Force fighter wing is asking the public to please stop pointing lasers at its aircraft
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A US Air Force fighter wing is asking people to stop aiming laser pointers at its aircraft. The UK-based fighter wing said this activity poses a "serious threat to flight safety." AdvertisementA US Air Force fighter wing based in the UK published an advisory asking people to stop pointing lasers at its aircraft. The 48th Fighter Wing out of RAF Lakenheath said on Thursday that there have been recent incidents of laser pointers being aimed at fighter aircraft during flight operations, raising "significant concerns." "This dangerous activity, known as 'lasing,' poses a serious threat to flight safety," the fighter wing wrote in a media advisory.

Persons: It's, —, Lakenheath, RAF Lakenheath Organizations: US Air Force, Service, Air Force, Fighter, Lakenheath, RAF, US Air Forces, Kirtland Air Force Base, FBI, RAF Lakenheath, 48th Fighter Wing, Pentagon, US Navy Locations: London, England, Europe, New Mexico, China, Djibouti, East, Iran

☆ New videos show intense strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis, who are vowing revenge after getting hit by well over 100 missiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The US and UK carried out strikes against the Houthis in Yemen early Friday. The intense bombardment followed repeated warnings from the West over Houthi attacks on shipping lanes. Here's a video showing airstrikes conducted by Typhoon jets after Britain and the United States conducted air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. AdvertisementA Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jet takes off ahead of the Houthi strikes. A munition is fired from a US Navy warship during the Houthi strikes.

Persons: —, readying, Grant Shapps, bR8biMolSx, tbN7ncJYpF, 5hzanSX1dH, Katherine Zimmerman, Lloyd Austin Organizations: US, Service, US Air Forces Central, Central Command, UK Defense, U.S . Central Command, Typhoons, UK Ministry of Defense, Typhoon, Defence, Biden, American, British, Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defense, US Navy, Command, American Enterprise Institute Locations: Yemen, Iran, British, U.S, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Bahrain, @grantshapps, Britain, United States, Gulf of Aden, Israel, Australian, Washington

☆ The US and UK at last answered Houthi attacks with a carrier strike group, fighter jets, and a submarine packed with Tomahawk cruise missiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Lauren Frias | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The US and UK launched military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen after repeated warnings. The strikes were in retaliation to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea. AdvertisementThe US and UK launched strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen Thursday night. President Joe Biden said he ordered the strikes as a "defensive action" in response to "unprecedented Houthi attacks" on international shipping vessels in vital waterways. Over 100 precision-guided munitions were used on more than 60 Houthi targets in Yemen, US Air Forces Central Commander Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich said Thursday.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Alex Grynkewich, Grynkewich Organizations: US, UK, British, Houthi, Service, US Air Forces Central, CNN, Business Locations: Yemen, Red, Iran, Suez, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Netherlands

☆ Ukraine and the US are mixing weapon systems that weren't built to play together to up Kyiv's defenses, and apparently they work
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

They've seen success in using US missiles with Buk-M1 systems and HARM missiles on Soviet fighter jets. AdvertisementWith its air defenses working overtime to defend against constant Russian strikes, Ukraine is working with the US to create new capabilities by cobbling together Western and Soviet systems that weren't built to play together. Reporting earlier this year indicated Ukraine had found ways to modify the Soviet Buk air defenses to fire the RIM-7. The US and its Western allies have offered Ukraine air defenses like Patriot batteries, IRIS-T, NASAMs, and Gepard anti-aircraft guns, but Ukrainian forces continue to operate a number of Soviet air defenses, the Buk and the S-300 being among the most prominent. AdvertisementThe new capability was promising for Ukraine and indicated future modifications to its Soviet systems could be made, like firing US missiles from Soviet Buk vehicles, which are self-propelled, mid-range surface-to-air missile systems.

Persons: They've, —, Yurii Ihnat, Ihnat, SAMs, Richard, Diana Quinlan, James Hecker, Theodore Roosevelt, Seaman Anthony N, Olaf Scholz, Germany Organizations: Soviet, Service, Ukrainian Air Force, Kyiv Independent, RIM, American AIM, New York Times, IRIS, Amphibious, NATO, Valiant, U.S . Navy, Pentagon, US Air Forces, US, Politico, Marines, Thunderbolts, Marine Fighter Attack, Radiation, Nimitz, Communication, AIM Locations: Ukraine, Soviet, United States, American, Russia, Europe, Taiwan, Russian, Crimea

☆ The US military is flexing its airpower muscles in the Middle East with supersonic bomber flights in the region
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US military's B-1 Lancer carried out another mission around the Middle East this week. The supersonic bomber has flown several missions around the region since the beginning of November. AdvertisementUS military B-1 Lancers have been busy in the Middle East this month. The B-1B Lancer is a multi-mission, supersonic aircraft that the US Air Force has described as the "backbone of America's long-range bomber force." A B-1 Lancer supersonic heavy bomber on a mission.

Persons: —, CENTCOM, Pat Ryder, Lloyd, Biden Organizations: Service, Lancers, Central Command, Kazakhstan —, US Air Force, Force, Pentagon, Lancer, US Air Forces, Washington Institute for Near, US, Gaza, US Air Forces Central Command, Bomber Task Force Locations: Egypt, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Europe, Yugoslavia, Iran, Syria, Israel, Ohio

☆ Crashed, harassed, and shot down: It's been a rough year for the MQ-9 Reaper, America's workhorse combat drone
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It's been a tough year for US military's MQ-9 Reaper workhorse combat and surveillance drone. The aircraft has been crashed into, harassed, and shot down by US adversaries around the world. AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's been an annoying year for the US military's go-to drone for combat and reconnaissance: the MQ-9 Reaper. Over the course of the year, America's adversaries have run into and crashed, harassed, and now — as of this week — shot down the aircraft. An MQ-9 Reaper drone at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Kanoya Air Base on November 5, 2022.

Persons: It's, —, Christopher Broome, Alex Grynkewich Organizations: Service, US, US Air Force, Islamic, Japan, Self, Kanoya, Base, Staff, ISIS, US Air Forces Central Command, US Central Command, Airmen, Squadron, Nevada, Air, Bomb, Victoria, US Navy, Hamas, Pentagon Locations: Europe, Russian, Washington, Moscow, Ukraine, Syria, Islamic State, Russia, Yemen, Iran, Israel, Gaza

☆ Israel says it dropped 6,000 bombs on Gaza in one week. That's almost as many as what the US dropped in Afghanistan in one year.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Israel said it dropped about 6,000 bombs on the Gaza Strip within the first six days of war. That staggering number is close to the 7,423 bombs US dropped on Afghanistan in 2019. Israel has launched multiple airstrikes on the densely populated Gaza Strip since October 7. AdvertisementAdvertisementIsrael's dogged attempts to defeat the Palestinian militant group Hamas have seen the country use a staggering amount of bombs on the Gaza Strip. According to the US Air Forces Central Command, the US dropped 7,423 bombs on Afghanistan in 2019.

Persons: Israel, —, Yoav Gallant, there'll, Gallant Organizations: Service, Palestinian, Hamas, Israeli Air Force, Washington Post, US Air Forces Central Command, Israel Defense Forces, Israel's Locations: Gaza, Afghanistan, Israel

☆ Close calls around the world show that Russian and Chinese pilots want 'batting practice' against the US, top commanders say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The US military is reporting frequent unsafe intercepts of its planes by Russian and Chinese jets. They come as the jets and weapons the US Air Force relies on for air superiority continue to age. One is that they want batting practice against the best in the world, and that's available for them," Kelly added. Screengrab/US Air Force videoRussia and China have invested heavily in their own air forces in recent decades. China's air force and navy now field the world's third-largest aviation fleet, including 1,900 fighter jets.

Persons: —, Mark Kelly, Kelly, you've, Alexus Grynkewich, Grynkewich, PO1 Alexander Kubitza Little, Nancy Pelosi's, Joe Biden, Xi, Adm, John Aquilino Organizations: US Air Force, Service, Command, US Central Command, Pentagon, Air Combat Command, US Defense Department, Russian, Air and Space Forces Association, Air Force, AIM, US Air Forces, Defense Writers, Pacific Command, South China Locations: Russian, Syria, South, Ukraine, China, Pacific, Russia, Screengrab, East, US, Chinese, Taiwan, Beijing, People's Republic of China

☆ Tuberville says he won’t relent on holds despite Israel’s war, claims he’s not hurting military readiness
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Sam Fossum | Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

… If you change the rules of the Senate then it lasts forever,” Tuberville told CNN’s Manu Raju. The bloc of nominees wouldn’t include some higher-level military promotions, which senators would still want to confirm one at a time. The proposal could go to the Senate Rules Committee as soon as this week, a source told CNN Thursday. Tuberville also said that he has had little or no interaction with the White House about the possibility of finding a solution. You know this is not a negotiating crowd over in the White House,” Tuberville said.

Persons: Republican Sen, Tommy Tuberville, ” Tuberville, CNN’s Manu Raju, “, Tuberville, Roe, Wade, I’ve, it’s, ”, Carlos Del Toro, Sen, Kyrsten, Jack Forrest, Lauren Fox, Morgan Rimmer, Natasha Bertrand, Haley Britzky Organizations: CNN, Republican, White, Department of Defense, Alabama Republican, Pentagon, US, US Central Command, Fleet, US Air Forces Central, Army and Air Force, House, Arizona Independent Locations: Israel, Gaza, Gulf of Oman –, Tuberville’s, Central, Arizona

☆ China's quiet campaign to win over Middle Eastern countries has run into a problem Beijing isn't really ready to deal with
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Until recently, 2023 looked to be a major year for Chinese outreach in the Middle East. Until this month, 2023 looked to be a landmark year for China's outreach to the Middle East. Zhai, China's Middle East envoy, began a tour of the region last week, stopping in Qatar first on October 19. "It's the kind of role we've played for the last half-century in the Middle East. Paul Iddon is a freelance journalist and columnist who writes about Middle East developments, military affairs, politics, and history.

Persons: —, Xi Jinping, Bashar Assad, Benjamin Netanyahu, Kim Kyung, Yoav Gallant, Ariel Hermoni, Zhai Jun, Wang Yi, Chuck Schumer, Xi, Nicholas Burns, Burns, Michael Singh, Abraham, Singh, Mahmud Abbas, Jade Gao, Alexus Grynkewich, Grynkewich, Abu Dhabi, ATTA KENARE, it's, Zhai, we've, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, Initiative, Israeli, REUTERS, Saudi, UAE, Israeli Defense Ministry, Getty Images, Washington, The Washington Institute, White House, Israel, US Air Forces, Defense Writers, Huawei, Getty Locations: East, Beijing, Israel, China, Iran, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Anadolu, Getty Images Beijing, Saudi, Egypt, UAE, Jordan, Iraq, Abu, AFP, Qatar, Palestine

☆ Israel dropped more bombs on Gaza in 6 days than the US-led coalition dropped in any month fighting ISIS
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Jake Epstein | Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Israel said it dropped 6,000 bombs on the Gaza Strip during the first six days of war with Hamas. That's more bombs than the US-led coalition dropped in any month during the fight against ISIS. Allied forces dropped 5,000 bombs in August 2017 — at the peak of their air campaign. But that August saw a record 5,075 bombs dropped, marking the only time that figure ever surpassed 5,000. AP Photo/Asmaa WaguihAveraged out, Israel's 6,000 bombs dropped on Gaza between October 7 and October 12 comes out to 1,000 per day — smashing the average of 164 bombs dropped per day by the US-led coalition in August 2017.

Persons: Israel, —, Ahmad Hasaballah, Raqqa —, Waguih, Joe Biden —, deescalation Organizations: ISIS, Allied, Service, Islamic, Israeli Air Force, IAF, US Air Forces Central Command, RAND Corporation, AP, US, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations, UN Locations: Gaza, Islamic State, Gaza City, Iraq, Syria, Raqqa, Syrian, California, Afghanistan

☆ The US Navy turned the tables on Iran, sending drones that look like speedboats to spy on its warships and troublesome gunboats
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. US Navy photoAn undated still image released on Oct. 6 from video taken by an Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel of an Iranian Navy AB-212 helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz. AdvertisementAdvertisementOther images from the September operation that were released by the US Navy on Friday showed an IRGCN warship and an Iranian Navy frigate. An L3Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel sails in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 22, during exercise Neon Defender 23. US Navy photoA MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vessel operates in the Gulf of Aqaba, Mar.

Persons: —, NAVCENT, Joe Baggett, Ray USV, Brad Cooper, Cooper, Arleigh Burke, Alexus, Grynkewich, they'll Organizations: US Navy, Navy, Service, Washington, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, US Naval Forces Central Command, Iranian, Fleet, Iranian Navy, Arabian Fox, US Marines, Coast Guard, Pentagon, Bataan, Ready, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, US Air Forces Central Command, Defense Writers Locations: Tehran, Hormuz, Persian, Gulf of Oman, Iran, Arabian, Panama, Strait, Iranian Navy, Iranian, NAVCENT, Gulf, Aqaba, Mar

☆ The US Air Force is buying a new missile as it makes plans to blast through enemy air defenses
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia and Ukraine are using their air defenses to deny each other control of the air. The US wants to avoid that, and it's working on a new missile to take down enemy air defenses. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Russian and Ukrainian air forces have played a relatively minor role in the war in Ukraine. Both sides have tended to keep their aircraft over friendly territory rather than risk tangling with sophisticated enemy air defenses, such as Ukraine's US-made Patriot and Russia's S-400. Ukrainian air forceThe US military currently uses the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-radiation Guided Missile, or AARGM, which is an upgraded HARM.

Persons: —, it's, James Hecker, Hecker, Northrop Grumman, Northrop, Northrop Grumman What's, they've, " Hecker, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, US Air Forces, Air and Space Forces Association, Ukrainian, Press, Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, Handout, REUTERS, US Air Force, Radiation, Storm, US, Air and Space Forces Magazine, Joint, Air Force, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Europe, Kharkiv, Vietnam, Iran, North Korea, Forbes

☆ NATO air forces are turning to the alliance's new experts for help training to dodge Russian missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

NATO air forces have been training with Finland, NATO's newest member, to operate from highways. The British and Norwegian air forces are the latest to train with NATO's newest member, sending Typhoon and F-35A fighter jets to participate in Exercise Baana, the Finnish air force's annual exercise, this month. Norwegian Armed Forces/Martin MellquistIn announcements about the milestone, the British and Norwegian air forces cited similar reasons for pursuing it. Maj. Gen. Rolf Folland, chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, said that being able to operate from small airfields and motorways "increases our survivability in war." US Defense Department/SRA Glenda PellumLanding on highways is not new — NATO air forces practiced it during the Cold War — but it has gotten more attention from Western air forces seeking to counter threats from long-range weapons fielded by Russia and China.

Persons: —, AS1 Tomas Barnard It's, Jim, Typhoon's, it's, Martin Mellquist, Rolf Folland, Folland, Glenda Pellum, Ole Andreas Vekve, James Hecker Organizations: NATO, Service, British, Royal Air Force, British Typhoons, Squadron, Ministry of Defence, Baana, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Norwegian Armed Forces, Combat, Royal Norwegian Air Force, US Defense Department, US Air Force, US Air Forces, NATO's Allied Air Command Locations: Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Norwegian, British, West Germany, NATO, China, Eastern Europe, Lithuania, Sweden, Soviet Union, Finnish, Europe

☆ Deep trenches, cheap drones, and a more efficient war machine are just some of the ways Russia has improved since it first invaded Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia expected a swift victory against Ukraine when it first invaded the country last February. Russia has since improved its weapons and defense, setting the stage for a long, deadly war. Russia has also adapted to Ukraine's weapons, setting up air defense systems that can shoot down missiles and drones and tools that can jam the other side's GPS signals. While Russia takes down Ukraine's drones, the country has stockpiled cheap drones of its own from China, the Journal reported. Putin has indicated that he was bracing for a long war in Ukraine as the death toll racks up, Reuters reported.

Persons: Vladimir Putin's, James Hecker, George Barros, Mark Milley, Putin Organizations: Ukraine, Service, CNN, Street Journal, US Air Forces, Institute for, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Reuters, New York Times Locations: Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Moscow, West, Europe, China, Ukrainian

☆ 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

☆ Ukraine's air force has gotten good at fighting on the run, and Russia's military can't catch up, top US general says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Ukraine's air force has been able to keep operating by spreading out its jets among different bases. Russia has struggled to catch up to that dispersal, the top US Air Force general in Europe says. That success underscores the US Air Force's need to be able to distribute its jets and crews. Russia began the war with a larger and more advanced air force, including better radars and longer-range missiles. US Air Force crew chiefs perform a "communications out" launch of an F-16 during an exercise in Lithuania in August.

Persons: James Hecker, they've, Hecker, Danil, " Hecker, OLEKSII FILIPPOV, Justin Bronk, Bronk, Dara Massicot, Massicot, Stephanie Longoria Organizations: US Air Force, Service, US Air Forces, Air and Space Forces Association, Washington DC, Getty, Britain's Royal United Services Institute, Ukraine, Carnegie Endowment, International, Russian BDA, Air Force, Tech Locations: Russia, Europe, Wall, Silicon, Washington, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russian, Lviv, AFP, Moscow, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland

☆ A US Air Force spy plane built in 1962 had to make an emergency landing in Qatar. It's the latest in a string of incidents for the ancient fleet of aircraft.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A US Air Force spy plane flying for the 55th Wing made an emergency landing in Qatar on Monday. The US Air Force did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. It eventually joined the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base outside of Omaha in 1981 and is still flying more than 40 years later. The Air Force stands behind its incident-prone fleetThe Air Force says it plans to make upgrades to its RC-135 fleet, expecting the planes to fly for another 20 to 30 years. "I have complete confidence in flying this aircraft," 55th Wing vice commander Col. David Berg told the World-Herald in 2018.

Persons: it's, —, Michael Andrews, Steve Lynes, Qatar —, Heather Wilson, Wilson, Frank Strickler, Al Udeid, We've, Todd Feeback, John Rauch, David Berg Organizations: US Air Force, Wing, Service, Boeing, OMAHA, Air Force, Soaring, KC, US Air Forces Central Command, Herald, Offutt Air Force Base, Air, FAA, American Airlines, Al Udeid, Base, Kansas City Star, Tribune, Getty, Air Force Safety Center Locations: Qatar, Wall, Silicon, Bahrain, Nebraska, Omaha, England, Greece, Japan, Persian

☆ Ukraine says it could have a small group of trained combat pilots ready to fly F-16s by the winter
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian pilots could be ready to fly F-16 fighter jets by early February, The Wall Street Journal reported. Officials in Kyiv said the initial group of F-16 pilots would likely number fewer than 10. Ukrainian pilots began their F-16 training just last month. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. Indeed, Ukraine expects its first graduating class of F-16 pilots to contain "fewer than" 10 people, the Journal reported.

Persons: Biden, that's, James Hecker, cdavis@insider.com Organizations: Street Journal, Service, Street, US Air Forces, Ukrainian, Kyiv, US Defense Department, Pentagon Locations: Wall, Silicon, Europe, Ukraine, Kyiv, Arizona

☆ As Ukraine's air force dodges Russian missiles, the US and its allies are practicing to keep their jets flying while under attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Ukraine's air force has remained operational in the face of ongoing Russian attacks. US Air Force/Airman 1st Class Albert MorelLike other Air Force commands, US Air Forces Europe regularly conducts ACE exercises. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Air Force's concern is driven by the proliferation of precision weapons that could allow an adversary to pick off valuable targets. US airmen and Finnish Air Force pilots at Rovaniemi Air Base during Astral Knight 23 Part 6 on August 23. The Pentagon's EDI budget request for 2024 includes nearly $500 million for the Air Force to improve base infrastructure and pre-positioned equipment.

Persons: James Hecker, " Hecker, Albert Morel, they've, haven't, Hecker, John Lamontagne, Albert Morel Running, Capt, Quincy Watts, Watts, we're Organizations: Air, Service, Russian, US Air, US Air Forces Europe, Defense Writers, Astral, US Air Force, Air Force, Rovaniemi Air Base, NATO, US Air Force KC, Kallax Air Base, Finnish Air Force, Air Base Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Russian, Ukraine, Rovaniemi, Finland, Europe, Lithuania, Sweden, Baltic, Latvia, Italy, Aviano, China, Estonia

Col. Yurii Ihnat, Ukraine’s air force spokesman, believes that two squadrons, each of 12 planes, would begin to turn the tables. Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/ReutersBut the F-16 has never gone up against Russian air defenses in the real world. “Russian air defenses are very formidable.”Rapid trainingTraining programs are getting underway for the first batches of Ukrainian pilots – in Denmark, Romania and the United States. Ihnat says about 30 Ukrainian air force pilots have adequate English, the absolute minimum required to stand up two squadrons. The Ukrainian Air Force has long been working on improving and protecting airfields that would accommodate the F-16s.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Piroschka van de Wouw, Yurii, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mette Frederiksen, Mads Claus Rasmussen, Ritzau Scanpix, ”, Mark Cancian, ” Ihnat, Oleksii Reznikov, Ihnat, Cancian, ” Cancian, James B, Hecker, ” Hecker, Frank Kendall, it’s, Mykola Oleshchuk, Su, Kendall, Biden Organizations: CNN, Air Force, Reuters, Denmark's, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Rapid, Reuters Ukrainian Defense, Ukrainian, Air Missiles, Radiation, CSIS, NATO, US, Accounting, US Air Force, US Air Forces Europe, SA, Ukrainian Air Force Locations: Danish, Russian, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Ukraine, Romania, United States, Greece, Israeli, Russia

☆ Take a look at the $63 million F-16 fighter jet the West has pledged to help Ukraine win the war with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Denmark and the Netherlands are sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, with US approval. Ukraine has long coveted the US-made jet as it seeks to bolster its air capabilities in its war with Russia, which has a more advanced air force. Mads Claus Rasmussen/AFP/Getty ImagesSpecificationsThe F-16 is a multi-role fighter built by Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force. A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US will also begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly and maintain F-16s in Arizona in October, the Pentagon said Thursday.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mette Frederiksen, Mads Claus Rasmussen, Lockheed Martin, Justin Bronk, Ethan Miller, James Hecker, It's, Stringer, John Kirby, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Al Jazeera, Kajsa Ollongren, Oleksii Reznikov, Pat Ryder Organizations: Service, Getty, Lockheed, US Air Force, Falcon, AIM, Royal United Services Institute, U.S . Air Force, Nevada, US Air Forces, Israeli Air Force, US National Security, Pentagon, Pentagon Press, Air Force Locations: Denmark, Netherlands, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Indian Springs , Nevada, Europe, Romania, Athens, Al, Kyiv, Arizona

☆ The White House 180 on F-16s for Ukraine is complete
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Biden administration on Thursday announced plans to begin F-16 pilot training for Ukrainian troops. The offering is a marked shift from Biden's original position of not providing F-16s or training. In February, he ruled out providing F-16s; by May, he supported allies supplying jets. Russia's superior air power has been challenging for Ukrainian troops to overcome. Representatives for the White House and Ukraine Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Persons: Biden, Pat Ryder, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Joe Biden, It's, James Hecker Organizations: Ukrainian, Service, Morris Air National Guard Base, Pentagon Press, Air Force, ABC News, White, Ukraine Ministry of Defense, SA, US Air Forces Locations: Wall, Silicon, Tuscon , Arizona, Ukraine, Russia, Hiroshima, Netherlands, Denmark, Europe

☆ Top US Air Force general was surprised that Russia 'gave up' trying to destroy Ukraine's Russian-designed air defenses so quickly
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia's limited use of its air force in Ukraine has surprised US Air Force leaders. Those leaders are surprised in large part because Ukraine is using air defenses that Russians designed. "I would say that I was somewhat surprised" by Russia's inability to control the air and knock out Ukrainian air defenses, Hecker said. Ukrainian forces are now using US-made Patriot missiles and the US-Norwegian-designed NASAMS to defend against long-range threats as well as several Western-designed systems for short-range air defense. US intelligence assessments leaked online this spring suggested Ukraine could expend its supply of surface-to-air missiles for several systems by mid-year.

Persons: James Hecker, " Hecker, Justin Bronk, Hecker, Ukrainian Defense Ministry Hecker, Charles Brown Jr, Brown, Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Ed Ram Organizations: US Air Force, Service, Russian Air Force, US Air Forces, Defense Writers, Russian Ministry of, Royal United Services Institute, Russian Sukhoi, Ukraine's Defense Ministry, Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Air Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Ukraine, Ukrainian, International Institute of Strategic Studies, The Washington, Getty, Patriot, Russian, Ukraine Defense Contact Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Europe, Russian, Russia, British, Soviet, Norwegian, Kyiv

☆ Ukraine is closer to having F-16s, but don't expect them to suddenly start 'taking down' Russia's formidable air defenses, top US general says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Christopher Woody | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In addition to anti-radar missiles, Ukrainian jets have employed US-made guided bombs, which Russia has countered with electronic warfare. While F-16s would allow Ukraine to better employ those weapons, Hecker said Russia's military will continue to adapt and adjust. "It allows us to follow through on the training of Ukrainian pilots. Although the timeline has been somewhat unclear, Denmark — one of 11 countries in the coalition — announced on Friday that it would start training pilots later this month. But training and equipping Ukrainian airmen to operate F-16s and other sophisticated jets will be a long-term project, Hecker said Friday.

Persons: Ukraine's, James Hecker, " Hecker, JOHN THYS, Hecker, It's, you'll, Beata Zawrzel, Kajsa Ollongren, Wopke Hoekstra, Antony Blinken, Pat Ryder, Yasuo Osakabe, US Air Force Hecker, they're, that's, it's Organizations: Service, US Air Force, US Air Forces, Defense Writers, Siauliai, NATO, Getty Images, SA, NATO Summit, Defense, —, Pentagon, Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Alpha Jet Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Denmark, Netherlands, Europe, Romanian, Lithuania, AFP, Russia, Ukrainian, Vilnius, Japan, France

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