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Ebbing ANGB welcomes first Polish F-35s, kicking off multinational training program

Posted on December 25, 2024December 25, 2024 by alert5

Poland’s first two Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs aircraft arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on Dec. 23. This event initiates a new chapter in the F-35 Foreign Military Sales training program.

The 33rd Fighter Wing and Ebbing Air National Guard Base welcomed the arrival of the first two Polish Air Force F-35A Lightning II
aircraft at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort SMith, Arkansas on December 23, 2024. This marks a significant milestone in the Foreign Military Sales training program and highlights the strong partnership between the U.S. and Poland. The aircraft’s arrival will kickstart Polish pilot training at Ebbing ANGB, beginning in January 2025. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by A1C Miles Chrisman)

Barak MX to safeguard Slovakian skies

Posted on December 25, 2024December 25, 2024 by alert5

Slovakia has signed its largest-ever defense agreement with Israel, acquiring the Barak MX air and missile defense system from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for $582 million. The deal was officially concluded in Tel Aviv by Ministry of Defense director general Major General (res.) Eyal Zamir.

Photo: IAI
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Breitling Jet Team L-39s find new life training fighter pilots

Posted on December 22, 2024 by alert5

Babcock International Group has acquired 11 Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros jet trainers from Apache Aviation to support a new fighter pilot training academy in Dijon, France. The academy will offer several programs, including training for aspiring fighter pilots, certification of L-39 pilot instructors, retraining for already qualified fighter pilots, and training for pilots and advanced controllers in close air support missions.

Photo: Babcock
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Canopy open: USAF restarts competition for F-16 escape system

Posted on December 22, 2024December 22, 2024 by alert5

The U.S. Air Force is restarting the competition to select a new ejection seat for its F-16 fighter fleet. This unexpected move comes after the service initially awarded a sole-source contract for the Next-Generation Ejection Seat (NGES) program to Collins Aerospace in 2020.

54th Maintenance Squadron egress system specialists remove a canopy from an F-16 Fighting Falcon on March 13, 2017 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Egress system specialists ensure that pilots can safely eject from aircraft in the event of an emergency. They perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on seats, hatches, canopies and modules. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Kenney)

Legend” lands for good: Instructor pilot retires with 10,000 hours

Posted on December 22, 2024December 22, 2024 by alert5

Lt. Col. Bob Volpe, call sign “Legend,” retired from active duty on Apr. 12, after an extraordinary U.S. Air Force career. Volpe’s career was marked by an incredibly rare achievement: he logged over 10,000 flight hours. This milestone, seldom reached by pilots in the Air Force, solidifies Volpe’s place in aviation history.