Khalem Chapman
USAF F-22s deploy to Middle East amid rising Russian tensions
US Central Command announced on June 14 that several F-22A Raptor fifth-generation air superiority fighters from the USAF’s 94th Fighter Squadron ‘Hat in the Ring’ have deployed to an undisclosed location in the Middle East amid rising tensions between the US and Russia in Syria and Ukraine
Final USMC TAV-8B to complete overhaul returns to VMA-223
Another major milestone in the drawing down of the USMC’s McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II programme has been passed by the US Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) after it recently completed the final overhaul of the last dual-seat TAV-8B fighter-trainer at MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina
First ‘Block II’ E-6B Mercury delivered to US Navy
The US Navy accepted its first upgraded E-6B Mercury on June 6, when pilots from the service’s Strategic Communications Wing 1 flew the newly enhanced aircraft from Northrop Grumman’s Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
Argentina receives new C-130H under lease from US
The USAF has leased a Lockheed C-130H Hercules from the Georgia ANG to the Argentine Air Force, marking the beginning of an 11-month collaboration that will see the tactical transport play a crucial role in logistical support and supply operations across Argentina and Antarctica
Greece welcomes first two M-346 Masters to Kalamata
Greece formally welcomed the first two of ten Leonardo M-346 Master advanced jet trainers, which it is acquiring in partnership with the Israeli government, during a ceremony held at the new Elbit Systems-run International Flight Training Centre at Kalamata Air Base on May 17
Leonardo secures Azerbaijan as latest C-27J Spartan customer
Azerbaijan has become the latest nation to join the global family of C-27J Spartan operators, after Leonardo revealed on June 8 that a contract for the delivery of an unspecified number of examples of the tactical transport had been inked in Italy
The Monday Military Aviation Quiz 149
Welcome to the 149th Monday Military Aviation Quiz! How well do you know your modern military aircraft? Test your aircraft recognition skills here
Inside the final days of 47 Sqn as RAF C-130J retirement looms
The RAF is in the process of bidding a fond farewell to two very iconic components of its airlift organisation this June: No 47 Squadron – which was formally deactivated on June 8 – and the Hercules C4/C5 fleet. Khalem Chapman visited RAF Brize Norton in late May to find out how the drawdown efforts are going and how the C-130J will be missed by those closest to it
Netherlands buys H225Ms to replace RNLAF's ageing Cougar fleet
The Dutch MOD has revealed it will replace the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s ageing fleet of AS532U2 Cougar medium-lift tactical transport helicopters – which are predominately used to support Special Operations Forces missions – with 14 new-build H225M Caracal multi-mission tactical rotorcraft
Canada’s first Airbus CC-330 rolled out as delivery nears
The Canadian Department of National Defence shared an initial image of the first of two Airbus CC-330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports sporting its operational white, red and blue livery ahead of its planned delivery to the Royal Canadian Air Force this summer