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French Rafales soar over Yorktown, marking 200 years since Lafayette’s farewell tour

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Two French Rafale jets from the French Air Force have arrived at Norfolk naval air station for a flyover of Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Washington DC. They are joined by a USAF F-22 for the flyover. The Rafale jets belong to the Lafayette Squadron, a squadron with a history dating back to World War I.


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B-2 carried out airstrikes in Yemen

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On Oct. 16, the Pentagon dispatched B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers to strike five hardened underground weapons storage facilities in Yemen controlled by the Houthi movement. These strikes, authorised by President Biden, were carried out by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The U.S. claims the strikes were a direct response to Houthi attacks on international shipping, as well as threats against U.S. and allied forces in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden.

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, conduct off-station training Nov. 15, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. This was the first time that allied nation F-35 Lightning II aircraft integrated with U.S. Air Force B-2’s in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jakob Hambright)

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Greece declines NATO Baltic Air Policing mission

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Greece has declined a request from the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to take part in air patrols over their airspace. The Baltic countries, which lack their own fighter jets, had asked Greece to send F-16s to contribute to the NATO air policing mission, which helps safeguard their skies.

A Hellenic Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon escorts a U.S. Air Force 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress over Greece during a Bomber Task Force mission Aug. 26, 2022. B-52Hs from the 23EBS flew to Greece to demonstrate their Global Strategic Bomber presence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael A. Richmond)

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P-38 pilot honoured with heritage jet

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At 102 years old, retired Captain Jim Kunkle received a tribute that few could imagine: a KC-135R Stratotanker adorned with the colours of his wartime P-38. Kunkle, a P-38 pilot from the 401st Fighter Squadron during World War II, was honoured by the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing at the Central Coast AirFest last month. The newly painted KC-135 features black-and-white invasion stripes and nose art inspired by Kunkle’s P-38.

A P-38 sits on static display next to the 155th Air Refueling Wing’s KC-135 with invasion stripes, Sept. 22, 2024, during the Central Coast AirFest at the Santa Maria Airport in Santa Maria, California. The KC-135’s heritage paint scheme honors Jim Kunkle, World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran. Kunkle served as a fighter pilot during WWII in the 401st Fighter Squadron which transformed into the 173rd Air Refueling Squadron, 155th ARW. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander D. Schriner)

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