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☆ US military Osprey flights paused again amid safety questions
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The US military is again pausing flights of it troubled V-22 Osprey fleet “to determine if any additional safety measures are necessary,” a Navy spokesperson said Monday. “Today, Naval Air Forces directed an operational pause for all U.S. Navy CMV-22B Ospreys following a recommendation from Naval Air Systems Command,” Cmdr. A Marine Corps spokesperson also said Monday that the Marine Corps implemented a 96-hour operational pause “for non-essential flight operations” of their MV-22 Osprey fleet, which started on December 6. The CV-22 Osprey crash, which occurred in late November 2023, resulted in the deaths of all eight airmen on board. In August 2023, three US Marines were killed in an MV-22 crash — the Marine Corps’ Osprey variant — during an exercise in Australia.

Persons: Cmdr, Tim Hawkins, Brian Taylor, ’ decedents Organizations: CNN, Navy, “, Naval Air Forces, U.S . Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, Air Force, Marine Corps, Air Force Special Operations, US, NATO, Marines, Boeing, Bell Textron Inc, Royce, United States Marines Locations: New Mexico, Japan, Australia, California

☆ Over half of the Air Force's Osprey fleet has been cleared to fly after a deadly crash prompted a military-wide grounding
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Thomas Novelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The news comes less than a year after a deadly November CV-22 Osprey crash in Japan that claimed the lives of eight airmen. AdvertisementJapan Ground Self-Defense Forces soldiers disembark from a V-22 Osprey aircraft. Debris believed to be from a US military Osprey aircraft is seen in waters off the coast of Yakushima Island. The cause of the Japan crash was determined to be the fracturing of a high-speed planetary pinion gear in the aircraft's prop rotor gearbox. US Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher CallawayThe Gundam 22 crew did press on after the chip burn lights and did not violate their training.

Persons: —, Michael Conley, that's, We've, Conley, YUICHI YAMAZAKI, Military.com, Jeffrey Hoernemann, Eric Spendlove, Luke Unrath, Terrell Brayman, Zachary Lavoy, Jake Turnage, Brian Johnson, Jake Galliher, Carl Chebi, NAVAIR, we've, Bell, Christopher Callaway, AFSOC, Amber Sax, John Sax, Sax, Konstantin Toropin Organizations: Service, Special, Command, Air, Space Force Association, Business, Defense Forces, Getty, Naval Air Systems Command, Program, Ospreys, Air Force, Osprey, Japan Coast Guard, AP, Air Force Special Operations Command, Tech, Staff, Pentagon, Bell, Boeing, US Air Force, Gundam, Marine Corps Locations: Washington, Japan, Yakushima Island, California

☆ Photo hints a big US Air Force Reaper drone competition was focused on one of China's fake islands in the South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewA newly released photo suggests a recent US Air Force Reaper combat drone event appears to have been focused to some degree on an artificial Chinese island in the South China Sea. AdvertisementOne of the screens featured a map of Mischief Reef and the surrounding area in the contested Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. The South China Sea has long been a source of tension between the US and China, as well as a number of other Indo-Pacific nations. AdvertisementSatellite imagery of the Mischief Reef in the South China Sea. "Air Force Special Operations Command is focused on specialized air power," said Col. Mark Jones, AFSOC concepts and capabilities development division chief, in the Wednesday release.

Persons: —, Thomas Shoal, Deanna Muir, Deanna Muir China, Mark Jones Organizations: Service, US Air Force, Wing, Business, Air Force, Operations, Squadron, Technologies, Air Force Special, Command Locations: South China, Florida, Spratly, Philippines, Beijing, China, Washington

☆ The deadliest V-22 crash in Air Force history caused by 'catastrophic' gearbox failure and crew's 'lack of urgency,' a probe found
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Konstantin Toropin | Thomas Novelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

An infographic details the crash location of the US military V-22 Osprey aircraft near Japan's Yakushima island. Debris believed to be from a US military Osprey aircraft is seen in waters off the coast of Yakushima Island. Members of the Japanese Navy look through binoculars during a search operation after the CV-22 Osprey crash. The Air Force, alongside the other military services that fly the Osprey, grounded their V-22s shortly after the crash. The service said last month that only a handful of its aircraft were flying at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Persons: —, Military.com, Michael Conley, Conley, didn't, It's, …, Jeffrey T, Eric V, Luke A, Terrell K, Zachary E, Jake M, Brian K, Johnson, Jake Galliher, Spendlove, Adm, Carl Chebi, Chebi, " Conley, we're Organizations: Service, Air Force, Business, Ospreys, Getty, Air Force Special Operations Command, NBC, Osprey, Japan Coast Guard, AP, Ministry of Defense, Tech, Staff, Pentagon, Cannon Air Force Base, The Air Force, Naval Air Systems Command Locations: Japan, Anadolu, Yakushima, Yakushima Island, New Mexico

☆ South Korea: Flying aboard the AC-130J Ghostrider, carrying America’s biggest gun in the sky
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Brad Lendon | Mike Valerio | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

AC-130 gunners Joe Gipson (back) and Isaac Dowell tend the 105mm cannon aboard a US Air Force AC-130J during a live-fire exercise over South Korea. A 105mm howitzer is seen at the rear of a US Air Force AC-130J at Osan Air Base, South Korea, in early June 2024. ‘Spooky’ historyUS Air Force gunships trace their lineage back to the Vietnam War, when the service set up 7.62 mm guns to fire out one side of a C-47 transport aircraft. With the AC-130J model, introduced in 2017, the Air Force removed the machine guns in favor of the more precision-guided munitions. The AC-130’s crew acknowledges the dangers of ground fire to their aircraft, and some analysts question its usefulness in any potential conflict with North Korea.

Persons: Ghostrider, Joe Gipson, Isaac Dowell, Brad Lendon, John Ikenberry, Kim Jong Un, ” Ikenberry, Heath Curtis, Mike Valerio, Curtis, ”, Justin Burris, Peter Layton, Layton, Maj, Christopher Mesnard, CNN’s Yoonjung Seo, Gawon Bae Organizations: Korean Peninsula CNN, US Air Force AC, CNN, Air Force Special Operations Command, US Air Force, Osan Air Base, South, Air Force, National Museum of, Operation, US, Griffith Asia Institute, Royal Australian Air Force, Operations Command Locations: Hurlburt Field, Florida, South Korea, Seoul, North Korea, Washington, Korea, Maj, New Mexico, United States, Vietnam, Asia, Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kunduz, Iraqi, Persian, Khafji, Saudi Arabia, Korean, Australia, Operations Command Korea

The Joint Program Office declined to comment to Military.com regarding the restriction. A spokesperson for the Marine Corps could not provide details on the restriction but said efforts are underway to return the aircraft to full operations. Pedro Caballero, a spokesperson for the Marine Corps, told Military.com when asked whether the restrictions applied to its roughly 350 Ospreys, the vast majority of the military's fleet. US Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys take off at Port Darwin in Australia. An MV-22B Osprey conducts an external lift with US Marines during helicopter support team training at Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California.

Persons: —, Military.com, Beth Teach, Cpl, Juan Torres, Capt, Pedro Caballero, Caballero, Colton Martin Lt, Rebecca Heyse, Amelia Kang, Brian Taylor, Taylor, Juan Paz Taylor Organizations: Service, Force, Marine Corps, Ospreys, Business, Navy, Naval Air Forces, Office, Naval Air Systems Command, Royal Australian Air Force Base, US Marine Corps, Corps, Port Darwin, Air Force Special Operations Command, Greyhound, House Armed Services, US Marines, Marine Corps Air, Services, Aviation, Air Force, Marines, Program Office, Marine, US Air National Guard, Staff Locations: Japan, Port, Australia, Miramar , California, Darwin, Washington ,, Lemonnier, Djibouti

☆ 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

☆ Don't want Russia to successfully invade your country? Then do this.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Even though Russia may dwarf a small state, that doesn't guarantee a successful airport seizure. AdvertisementHere's some advice for nations who don't want Russian troops as uninvited guests: Guard your airport. However, other Russian airport takedowns have been largely successful. Stringer points to a special airport defense regiment that Switzerland stationed at Zurich Airport during the Cold War, as a good model. "Understanding and delineating the sequence of events Russia has historically used to initiate a coup and devising countermeasures to thwart these actions may prove critical in defending against the next Russian invasion."

Persons: —, Russia's, Kevin Stringer, Heather Gregg, Stringer, Hafizullah Amin, Amin, playbook, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Guard, Kremlin, West, Institute ., Air, US Army, Russian, Spetznaz, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Rapid, Brigade, National Guard, Antonov, Zurich Airport, United States, 75th Ranger Regiment, Air Force, CIA, Hostomel, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Hostomel, Russia, Kyiv's Hostomel, Ukraine, Institute . Moscow, Prague, Kabul, Sevastopol, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Warsaw, Czechoslovakia, Baltic States, Moldova, Georgia, Russian, Switzerland, Zurich, Europe, Finland, Sweden, Forbes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon believes it has identified the mechanical failure that led to a fatal crash of an Osprey aircraft in Japan and the grounding of the fleet for two months, a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press. The Air Force investigation is continuing into the Nov. 29 Air Force special operations command CV-22 crash, which killed eight service members. The crash led to a rare grounding on Dec. 6 of about 400 Osprey aircraft across the three services. Both the Air Force and Marine Corps have been running the Osprey's engines; the Marines have been conducting ground movements to keep the aircraft working. While the current Osprey standdown is one of the largest military aircraft groundings in terms of affecting three services’ flight operations, it’s not the longest.

Persons: Chris Engdahl, ” Engdahl, Engdahl, Alyssa Myers, it’s Organizations: WASHINGTON, Pentagon, Osprey, Associated Press, Safety Council, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Naval Safety Command, The Air Force, Ospreys, Marines, Safety, Congress Locations: Japan, U.S

☆ At least 30 American troops have died in a spate of US military helicopter and tiltrotor aircraft crashes this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A US Air Force Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan on November 29, killing all eight Airmen aboard. It's the latest in a string of helicopter and tiltrotor crashes this year. Seven crashes around the world have so far killed at least 30 American service members and injured over 40 more. None of these incidents occurred during combat or were the result of enemy fire; almost all took place during some sort of training mission. August 27: MV-22B Osprey crashed in AustraliaAdvertisementA US Marine Corps Osprey crashed on Melville Island during a training exercise, killing three soldiers and injuring another 20.

Persons: —, It's, — Darwin Organizations: US Air Force Osprey, Service, UH, Blackhawk, Tennessee National Guard, Tennessee Department of Military, Hawks, US Army, 101st Airborne Division, 11th Airborne, Pentagon, Marine Corps, Marines, Special Operations, Air Force, . Air Force Special, Command Locations: Japan, Alabama, Huntsville, Kentucky, Fort Campbell, Alaska, Healy, Syria, Command's, Australia, Melville, Israel, Yakushima

☆ Remains of five other airmen found from Osprey that crashed in Japan, Air Force says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Colin Mccullough | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Wreckage and remains from a United States Air Force CV-22B Osprey that crashed off the coast of Yakushima Island, Japan, last week were discovered on Monday, according to a statement from Air Force Special Operations Command. The AFSOC said their main priority is “bringing the Airmen home and taking care of their family members.”The remains of one airman aboard, 24-year-old Staff Sgt. The remains of five other airmen aboard were found, AFSOC said Monday. The CV-22 Osprey was conducting a “routine training mission” at the time of the “mishap”, the Air Force said previously. The Osprey has a history of mechanical and operational issues, and has been involved in several fatal incidents over the last 30 years.

Persons: ”, AFSOC, Jacob M, Jorge Hernandez Organizations: CNN, United States Air Force, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force, Marine, Marine Corps Times Locations: Yakushima Island, Japan, U.S, Yakushima, Pittsfield , Massachusetts, Australia

TOKYO (AP) — U.S. and Japanese divers have discovered wreckage and remains of five crew members from a U.S. Air Force Osprey aircraft that crashed last week off southwestern Japan, the Air Force announced Monday. The Air Force Special Operations Command said two of the five newly located remains have been recovered but their identities have yet to be determined. Political Cartoons View All 1277 ImagesThe U.S. military identified the one confirmed victim as Air Force Staff Sgt. Ospreys have had a number of crashes, including in Japan, where they are used at U.S. and Japanese military bases, and the latest accident rekindled safety concerns. Japanese officials say they have asked the U.S. military to resume Osprey flights only after ensuring their safety.

Persons: Jacob Galliher, Denny Tamaki Organizations: TOKYO, —, U.S . Air Force Osprey, Air Force, Air Force Special, Command, Air Force Staff, Japan's NHK, U.S, The, Ospreys, Pentagon, Forces Agreement, Okinawa Gov Locations: Japan, U.S, Pittsfield , Massachusetts, The U.S, Okinawa

☆ Remains of one airman aboard Osprey that crashed in Japan recovered, Air Force says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —The remains of one airman who was aboard the Air Force CV-22B Osprey that crashed off the coast of Yakushima Island, Japan, on Wednesday have been recovered, the Air Force said Friday. “Seven Airmen are in DUSTWUN status meaning ‘duty status-whereabouts unknown,’” a release on Friday from Air Force Special Operations Command said. All V22 Ospreys in Japan operate only after undergoing thorough maintenance and safety checks,” Singh said. The CV-22 Osprey was conducting a “routine training mission” at the time of the “mishap” on Wednesday, the Air Force has said previously. The Osprey has a history of mechanical and operational issues, and has been involved in several fatal incidents over the last 30 years.

Persons: “, ’, Sabrina Singh, ” Singh, Singh, ” Organizations: Washington CNN, Air Force, Air Force Special, Command, Pentagon, Ospreys, Air, ”, Japanese Coast Guard, Japanese Self - Defense Forces, Pacific Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet, US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Special Operations Command Pacific, 1st Special Forces Group Locations: Yakushima Island, Japan, Yakushima, United States

Search operations widened Friday with additional U.S. military personnel joining the effort, while Japanese coast guard and military ships focused on an undersea search using sonar. Japanese officials say they asked the U.S. military to halt Osprey flights in Japan except for those involved in the search operations. A total of 44 Ospreys have been deployed at U.S. and Japanese military bases in Japan. Denny Tamaki called on Japan’s defense and foreign ministries to request the U.S. military to suspend all Osprey flights in Japan, including in search operations. “I have serious doubts about Osprey safety even for their search and rescue operations.”

Persons: —, Sabrina Singh, Hirokazu Matsuno, Minoru Kihara, Ricky Rupp, ” Kihara, Rupp, Yoko Kamikawa, Japan Rahm Emanuel, United States “, Denny Tamaki, Tamaki, “, ” Organizations: TOKYO, Pentagon, U.S, Ospreys, U.S ., Defense, U.S . Forces Japan, Osprey, United, U.S . Air Force Special, Command, Yokota Air Base, Fifth Air Force, 353rd, Operations, U.S . Marine Corps Air, Iwakuni, Kadena Air Base, Gov Locations: Japan, U.S, Okinawa, United States, Yamaguchi prefecture

The U.S. military said the mishap occurred during a routine training mission off the shores of Yakushima Island, about 1,040 km (650 miles) southwest of the capital Tokyo. Another Osprey thought to have been travelling with the crashed aircraft landed safely at the island's airport on Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the local government said. Japan, which also operates Osprey aircraft, said on Wednesday it had asked the U.S. military to investigate the crash. The deployment of the hybrid aircraft in Japan has been controversial, with critics saying it is prone to accidents. In August, a U.S. Osprey crashed off the coast of northern Australia while transporting troops during a routine military exercise, killing three U.S. Marines.

Persons: Kiyoshi Takenaka, Tim Kelly, Kantaro, Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, John Geddie, David Dolan, Gerry Doyle, Nick Macfie, Deepa Babington Organizations: Japan Coast Guard, Yakushima Fisheries Cooperative, . Air Force Special, Command, United, ., Boeing, Bell Helicopter, U.S . Air Force, Marines, Navy, Japan Self - Defense Forces, Osprey, U.S, Thomson Locations: Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, TOKYO, U.S, Yakushima, Tokyo, Japan's, United States, Taiwan, Okinawa, Australia

TOKYO (AP) — Japan plans to suspend its own Osprey flights after a U.S. Air Force Osprey based in Japan crashed into waters off the southern coast during a training mission, officials said Thursday. A U.S. Air Force Osprey based in Japan crashed during a training mission Wednesday off of the country’s southern coast, killing at least one of the eight crew members. The cause of the crash and the status of the seven others on board were not immediately known, Japanese coast guard spokesperson Kazuo Ogawa said. Coast guard aircraft and patrol boats found one male crew member, who was later pronounced dead by a doctor, Ogawa said. While the U.S. Marine Corps flies most of the Ospreys based in Japan, the Air Force also has some deployed there.

Persons: Taro Yamato, Kazuo Ogawa, Denny Tamaki, Ogawa, Hirokazu Matsuno, Hiroyuki Miyazawa, ___ Copp Organizations: TOKYO, U.S . Air Force, Ospreys, Defense Ministry, Gov, NHK, U.S . Air Force Special, Command, Yokota Air Base, 353rd, Operations, U.S . Marine Corps Air, Iwakuni, Kadena Air Base, Japanese, Defense, U.S . Forces Japan, Fifth Air Force, Yokota, U.S . Marine Corps, Air Force, Air Force Special Operations Command, Osprey, Marine Corps, Navy, Marine Corps Osprey, U.S . Marine, Marines Locations: Japan, Tokyo, U.S, Okinawa, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Coast, Yakushima, Yamaguchi prefecture, Australian, Washington

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Sen. Tuberville slammed poetry by US sailors that is a time-honored tradition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sen. Tuberville called out "wokeness" in the Navy, saying people are reading "poems on aircraft carriers." But the art form has been a long been a part of military service, especially for sailors. Tuberville faces widespread criticism for blocking hundreds of promotions over the Pentagon's abortion policy. Tuberville's comments on poetry and "wokeness" in the Navy come seemingly out of nowhere — especially considering the art form has a long history for sailors. Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Albuquerque SSN 706 stand watch as the boat departs Diego Garcia.

Persons: Sen, Tuberville, Tommy Tuberville, We've, Carlos Del Toro, Del Toro, Christine Wormuth, Frank Kendall, Mark Milley, Roe, Wade, John C, Steve Smith, Roosevelt, Champlain, Sailors, Diego Garcia, Jeremy Gross, Smith, it's, Marines I've, Nolan Peterson Organizations: Navy, Service, Alabama Republican, US Navy, Fox, Air Force, Washington Post, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Carrier Air Wing, Nimitz, Stennis, U.S . Navy, Getty, The Washington Post, USS, Marines, US Air Force, Council's Eurasia Locations: Wall, Silicon, Alabama, Yorktown, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Iraq, Afghanistan

☆ 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

☆ The iconic flying boat that helped hunt down Axis warships during World War II is getting a new lease on life
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The PBY Catalina flying boat was one of the most iconic Allied aircraft of World War II. The PBY Catalina flying boat was one of the most iconic Allied aircraft of World War II. The Next Generation Amphibious Aircraft Catalina II "is a modern amphibian with advanced engines and avionics and will offer capabilities no other amphibian can provide today." Catalina Aircraft announcement listed almost 60 civilian and government missions the Catalina II will be able to perform. After serving in several Allied militaries during World War II, many Catalinas remained in operation with militaries and civilian users around the world.

Persons: Lawrence Reece, John Redfield Catalina, Martin P5M, Marlin, Catalinas, Li Ziheng, Michael Peck Organizations: PBY Catalina, Allied, PBY Catalinas, Service, Aircraft, Catalina Aircraft, PBY, Getty, Catalina, US Navy PBY, Naval, Christi, of, Civilian, Missions, US Coast Guard, French, US Coast Guard Reserve, Consolidated Aircraft PBY Catalina, US Navy, Royal Navy, US Air Force Special, Command, DARPA, Liberty, Defense Force, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Wall, Silicon, Florida, Catalina, Alaska, Bettmann, Canada, Soviet Union, San Diego Bay, Midway, Qingdao, China, Xinhua, Guam, Forbes

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ The US Air Force is finally retiring the aging A-10. Now it plans to get rid of some the specially trained airmen who guide the Warthog to its targets.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The US Air Force has begun retiring the A-10, an aircraft famed for its role in close air support. Indeed, the US Air Force is finally retiring the aging A-10 Warthog ground-attack aircraft, which a top official has said "doesn't scare" China. According to Pentagon's budget request for 2024, the Air Force is looking to cut its TACP force by more than 40% over the next three years. If the plan goes ahead, the Air Force TACP community will have a little over 2,100 positions for officers, enlisted troops, and civilian personnel in 2025, down from the 3,700 slots it has currently, a spokesman told Air Force Times. "I think the military is getting ready for a war where we won't have air dominance," a former Air Force Combat Controller told Insider.

Persons: —, Tyler, Mercedee Wilds, Ryan Conroy, Michael Holzworth, Col, Nathan Colunga, Colunga, Stavros Atlamazoglou Organizations: US Air Force, Tactical Air Control Party, Service, China, US Air National Guard, Staff, Tyler Woodward Tactical Air Control Party, US Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Air Force Times, Air, National Guard, Air Combat Command, Air Force Combat, Combat, Air Commando, 321st Special Tactics Squadron, Navy, Army Green Berets, Marine Raiders, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force Special, Squadron, Tech, Warfare, Hellenic Army, 575th Marine Battalion, Army, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins, School, International Locations: China, Estonian, Kansas, Fort Irwin, California, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Estonia, Nevada, Johns

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