Air Force Archives - Page 11 of 2536

Osprey grounded again

Posted on December 10, 2024 by alert5

The Pentagon has once again grounded its entire fleet of V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. This comes after a worrying incident at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on Nov. 20, where a CV-22 Osprey experienced a near-crash shortly after takeoff. Initial investigations suggest that weakened metal components in a critical part may have been a contributing factor.

An Estonian Special Operations Forces operator prepares to be hoisted up to a
U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey, assigned to 352d Special Operations Wing, during Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction System training near Amari, Estonia, Sep. 3, 2019. During the week-long training, U.S. and Estonian special operation forces partnered on FRIES familiarization, casualty evacuation and rapidly loading and off-loading a tactical vehicle onto the aircraft. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Pena)

Exodus from Canada’s spy plane unit

Posted on December 10, 2024 by alert5

An internal Canadian Forces investigation found that a lack of leadership and training opportunities were to blame for the exodus of most of the specialists needed to operate a new fleet of military surveillance aircraft. This information comes from reporting by David Pugliese of the Ottawa Citizen. The investigation, completed in May 2023, found that sensor operators at CFB Trenton, Ontario, were left largely on their own with no training program or overall direction from the Special Forces headquarters in Ottawa or their home unit, 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron in Petawawa.

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Saab’s Giraffe 4A radar set to enhance U.S. Air Force’s European presence

Posted on December 10, 2024December 10, 2024 by alert5

Saab has snagged a noteworthy contract, worth $48 million, to supply its cutting-edge Giraffe 4A radar systems to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Deliveries of these mobile, multi-function radar systems are expected to commence in 2027 with BAE Systems Technical Solutions & Services Inc. serving as the prime contractor for this award.

Photo: Saab
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Warrant Officers return to the U.S. Air Force

Posted on December 8, 2024December 8, 2024 by alert5

Sixty-six years after the last U.S. Air Force warrant officer retired, a new generation donned the distinctive rank insignia, signifying a return to a tradition rooted in technical mastery. On Dec. 6, 30 individuals graduated from the Warrant Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, ready to embark on careers as technical experts and advisors in specialized fields like cyber, intelligence, and space. Their graduation marks the culmination of a strategic initiative led by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin to address the service’s growing need for highly skilled technical professionals.

Warrant Officer Training School class 25-01 meets with Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Dec. 6, 2024. The Warrant Officer Candidates endured an 8-week training intended to make the candidates professional warfighters, technical integrators and credible advisors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Evan Lichtenhan)

Belgian F-35 arrive at Luke to begin training

Posted on December 6, 2024December 6, 2024 by alert5

The first Lockheed Martin F-35A for the Belgian Air Component touched down at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona on Dec. 3. This marked the beginning of a new era for the Belgian Air Component as they transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the advanced F-35A Lightning II. The arrival represents a significant leap forward for the Belgian Air Component, equipping them with fifth-generation fighter capabilities.