U.S. SecDef visits USS Nimitz via CMV-22B

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III flew out to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz off the coast of California on Feb. 25 and photos released by the Pentagon shows Austin being flown on board using the CMV-22B.

210225-N-DQ752-2047 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 25, 2021) Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III departs in a V-22 Osprey on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). USS Nimitz, flagship of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is currently conducting routine operations in U.S. Third Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cheyenne Geletka/Released)

Continue reading “U.S. SecDef visits USS Nimitz via CMV-22B”

USMC F/A-18s refuel from HC-130J Combat King II for the first time

HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 39th Rescue Squadron carried out its first mid-air refueling with USMC F/A-18s on Feb. 22 for the first time.

F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft connect with an HC-130J Combat King II for nighttime high-speed air-to-air refuel Feb. 22, 2021. The completion of this milestone supports joint-service interoperability and enhances the success of military operations worldwide. This HC-130J capability increases available assets to conduct operations jointly where other aircraft may not be available, allowing the mission to continue unhindered. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kelly Goonan)

Continue reading “USMC F/A-18s refuel from HC-130J Combat King II for the first time”

This A-10 pilot is about to clock 7,000 hours on the attack jet

Lt. Col. John Marks, a pilot with the 303rd Fighter Squadron, is just 100 hours away from completing his 7,000 hour on the A-10 attack jet.

Lt. Col. John Marks, a pilot with the 303rd Fighter Squadron, shuts down his engines after completing his 6000th hour in an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft November 14, 2016, at Whiteman AFB, Mo. Marks has been flying the A-10 since the first Gulf War and has spent the equivalent of 250 days in the cockpit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Bob Jennings/Released)

Continue reading “This A-10 pilot is about to clock 7,000 hours on the attack jet”

Legacy Hornet has completed its final carrier deployment

The Legacy F/A-18 has completed its last aircraft carrier deployment with VMFA-323 departing USS Nimitz on Feb. 24.

210219-N-KO930-1173 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 19, 2021) F/A-18C Hornets, from the “Death Rattlers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, flyby the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz, flagship of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is currently conducting routine operations in U.S. Third Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Olivia Banmally Nichols/Released)

Continue reading “Legacy Hornet has completed its final carrier deployment”

ATAC Mirage F1B crashes at Tyndall AFB, both pilots injured

A Mirage F1B fighter owned by Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) has crashed at Tyndall Air Force Base on Feb. 25.

An F-1 Mirage aircraft with the Airborne Tactical Advantage Company flies over Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 14, 2020. The aircraft will provide adversary air support to the 43rd Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Magen M. Reeves)

Continue reading “ATAC Mirage F1B crashes at Tyndall AFB, both pilots injured”