Tom Kaminski
US Marines Sharpshooters stand down
The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine aircraft group MAG-11 said goodbye to Marine fighter attack training squadron VMFAT-101, when the unit was deactivated at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, on September 29, 2023.
US Navy’s unmanned MQ-4C Triton fleet achieves IOC
Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton HALE UAV achieved Initial Operational Capability with the US Navy in early September
USAF retires final ‘Big Safari’ NC-135W to the Boneyard
The USAF recently retired its last Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofan-powered NC-135W Stratolifter test aircraft after more than 50 years of operational service
Ex-USAF AT-6E Wolverines join the US Naval Test Pilot School
The US Naval Test Pilot School – a component of US Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR’s) Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) – has welcomed two newly acquired AT-6E Wolverine light attack aircraft to NAS Patuxent River in Maryland
US Coast Guard flies first missionized HC-27J Spartan
The US Coast Guard (USCG) conducted the initial flight of its first missionized HC-27J Spartan at NAS Patuxent River in Maryland on September 6
How ex-US Army Black Hawks are finding new life with commercial operators
The Black Hawk – the Western world’s most successful military utility helicopter – has served the US Army and other military customers for more than four decades. Now, many H-60s are taking on new duties with other governmental and commercial operators, as Tom Kaminski details
Pentagon considers changes to DC National Guard
The US DOD is reportedly developing plans to restructure the DC National Guard. The moves are intended to address issues that were highlighted by the response to the post-election riots that occurred in Washington DC on January 6, 2021, following the Presidential election and another incident that occurred in 2020
Travis AFB becomes sixth USAF base to welcome KC-46A Pegasus
Boeing resumed deliveries of KC-46A Pegasus tankers to the USAF on July 28 following a hiatus that began in March, when a problem with the aircraft’s centre fuel tank was discovered
Canada buys more CC-330 Husky tankers in bid to bolster aerial refuelling capabilities
Canada’s Minister of National Defence Anita Anand announced on July 25 that the nation has purchased four new Airbus A330 MRTTs – along with a further three used A330-200s – for approximately CA$3.6bn (US$2.7bn), as it moves to recapitalise its air-to-air refuelling capabilities and enable the Royal Canadian Air Force to replace its ageing CC-150 Polaris fleet
USAF plots transition plan for A-10C units in Georgia, Idaho
The USAF revealed its latest fielding plans for the F-35A Lightning II on June 26, when it announced the selection of Moody AFB, Georgia, as the next preferred location to receive the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter