ACC commander delivers EA-37B to Davis-Monthan AFB

U.S. Air Force’s Air Combat Command (ACC) received its first EA-37B Compass Call aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, on August 23, 2024. The delivery of aircraft 19-5591 marks the introduction of an advanced electronic warfare platform, upgrading from the legacy EC-130H. This new addition to ACC’s fleet brings enhanced electromagnetic attack capabilities to the U.S. Air Force, designed to meet evolving challenges in the electromagnetic spectrum.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Small, 55th Wing command chief, Col. Mark Howard, 55th Wing commander, Lt. Gen. Thomas Hensley, 16th Air Force commander, Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command, Chief Master Sgt. Robert Hopkins, 16th Air Force command chief, Lt. Col. Stephen Koether, 645th Aeronautical Systems Squadron Detachment 1 commander, Lt. Col. Jacob Arndt, 645 AESS Det 1 director of operations, and Maj. Mark Busby, 645 AESS Det 1 director of test, pose in front of aircraft 19-5591, ACC’s first EA-37B Compass Call delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, on Aug. 23, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Paige Weldon)

Continue reading “ACC commander delivers EA-37B to Davis-Monthan AFB”

U.S. Navy allowed to deploy CMV-22B Ospreys at Iwakuni

The Mayor of Iwakuni, Yoshihiko Fukuda, has agreed to the U.S. Navy’s deployment of CMV-22 Osprey aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, marking the first stationing of this tilt-rotor variant in his city. The decision aligns with a broader realignment of U.S. military assets in the region, which includes the rotation of aircraft carriers and the introduction of F-35C stealth fighter jets. This deployment will add to the existing Osprey presence in Japan, complementing the Marine Corps’ MV-22s at Futenma air base in Okinawa and the Air Force’s CV-22s operating from Yokota base near Tokyo.

The first East Coast-assigned Navy tiltrotor vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft CMV-22B Osprey lands at Naval Station Norfolk, April 5. The CMV-22B Osprey belongs to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 40 the “Mighty Bison.” The CMV-22B airframe will provide the fleet’s medium-lift and long-range aerial logistics capability, replacing the C-2A Greyhounds of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 over the next several years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sylvie Carafiol)

Continue reading “U.S. Navy allowed to deploy CMV-22B Ospreys at Iwakuni”

Kadena Air Base continues F-15C Eagle divestment, prepares for F-15EX

Kadena Air Base in Japan continued its ongoing F-15C Eagle divestment plan with the departure of four aircraft on Aug. 24. This event marks another milestone in the transition to F-15EX Eagle IIs. The final flight date for the remaining F-15Cs at Kadena remains undetermined, though the process is well underway.


U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus
Continue reading “Kadena Air Base continues F-15C Eagle divestment, prepares for F-15EX”

U.S. Air Force unit enhances Ukrainian F-16s’ Electronic Warfare capabilities

The 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron (EWS) recently collaborated with Danish and Norwegian counterparts to upgrade F-16s destined for Ukraine. The squadron’s expertise was critical in reprogramming the aircraft’s electronic warfare (EW) subsystems to counter evolving Russian threats in the electromagnetic spectrum.

F-16 - RIAT 2014 (24269911376)
Airwolfhound from Hertfordshire, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “U.S. Air Force unit enhances Ukrainian F-16s’ Electronic Warfare capabilities”