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Category: Air Force

MQ-9 has landed on a highway for the first time

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In a historic exercise, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) conducted two successful highway landings in Wyoming during Exercise Agile Chariot. The MC-130J Commando II, an MQ-9 Reaper, two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, and two MH-6 Little Birds all landed on Highways 287 and 789 on Apr. 30 and May 2, 2023, respectively.

An MQ-9 Reaper lands on Highway 287 during Exercise Agile Chariot, April 30, 2023, honing capabilities linked to Agile Combat Employment. Instead of relying on large, fixed bases and infrastructure, ACE uses smaller, more dispersed locations and teams to rapidly move and support aircraft, pilots, and other personnel to wherever they are needed. There are millions of miles of public roads in the United States, including federal, state, and local roads – with Agile Combat Employment, including Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) and Integrated Combat Turnarounds (ICT), it can become millions of miles of public runways, when necessary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carly Kavish)

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Biden administration clears the sale of six AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters to Czech Republic

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The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Czech Republic for the refurbishment and modernization of six AH-1Z and two UH-1Y Excess Defense Article (EDA) helicopters. The sale, which is valued at up to $650 million, also includes related equipment and services.


Photo: Czech Ministry of Defense

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RSAF conducting Exercise Wombat 23 in Australia

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Exercise Wombat 23 is taking place in Australia until Jun. 5, and it involves the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) conducting mobility training with the support of the Australian Defence Force. The exercise will involve two C-130H transport aircraft and approximately 100 personnel.

Exercise Kiwi Flag provides Pacific partners platform to enhance aerial deliveries 131114-F-FB147-706
Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Cope Thunder is back after a hiatus of 33 years

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Cope Thunder, an exercise sponsored by Pacific Air Force, has been revived and will take place at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines from May 1.

Members of the Philippine Air Force prepare to conduct hot pit refueling during a Subject Matter Expert Exchange event at Clark Air Base, Philippines, January 26, 2023. Throughout the five-day event, PACAF Airmen discussed various topics with their PAF counterparts such as: explosive safety, expeditionary munitions storage, protective facility designs, logistics to move the force from one location to another, hot pit operations, flying hour programs and maintenance scheduling among many others. (Courtesy photo)

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