Air Force Archives - Page 19 of 2533

U.S. and Chilean forces forge ‘Kill Web’ in Joint Exercise

Posted on October 3, 2024October 3, 2024 by alert5

Exercise UNITAS LXV, the 65th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise, took place along the Pacific coast of South America from Sept. 2nd to 12th. Hosted by Chile, the exercise challenged participating forces with unique terrain, pushing them to adapt and refine their skills in a new environment. The United States showcased its commitment to regional stability and security through a strong presence of Marine Corps and Navy assets, including F/A-18C Hornets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112), a KC-130J Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234), and a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Patrol Squadron 5.

U.S. Marine F/A-18Cs with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, break away from a KC-130J belonging to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, to prepare for aerial refueling operations during Exercise UNITAS LXV over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile, Sept. 5, 2024. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since it was first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 65th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Eric Kilpatrick)

416 days in the air: Gary Hogg surpasses 10,000 flight hours in the C-130

Posted on October 3, 2024October 3, 2024 by alert5

Imagine spending over a year of your life, 416 days to be precise, soaring through the skies. That’s the remarkable feat accomplished by Gary Hogg, a civilian pilot for Air Force Material Command, who recently surpassed 10,000 flight hours in the legendary C-130 Hercules. This extraordinary milestone was reached on September 24, 2024, during a routine avionics modernization program test mission at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Gary Hogg, Air Force Materiel Command, completes his C-130H preflight checks prior to a historic flight Sept. 25, 2024 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The significance of this typical routine test flight was that Hogg would surpass 10,000 hours as a pilot in the C-130. This is the most hours ever recorded by a pilot in the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)

KF-21 to fly at Sacheon airshow

Posted on October 2, 2024October 1, 2024 by alert5

The 2024 Sacheon Airshow, scheduled for Oct. 24-27 at Sacheon Air Base, promises to be a landmark event for South Korea’s burgeoning aerospace industry. The most notable aspect of the airshow is the first public flight demonstration of the KF-21 fighter jet there, following its initial aerial display in 2022 at Seoul ADEX. This event will be a main attraction for aviation enthusiasts and industry professionals. The airshow will also feature demonstrations of other aircraft developed or manufactured in Sacheon, such as the LAH light armed helicopter, the T-50 supersonic trainer jet, and the KT-1 trainer aircraft.

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Four Horsemen pilot relives C-130 history at Peterson SFB

Posted on October 1, 2024October 1, 2024 by alert5

Retired Lt. Col. Jim Akin, a member of the first C-130 demonstration team known as the Four Horsemen, recently visited a C-130H Hercules aircraft at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. This visit brought back fond memories for Akin, who flew with the team from 1957 to 1960. Now 99 years old, Akin remarked, “It brought back memories, good memories and sad memories … It just taught me how much I miss it. That’s the finest aeroplane they ever put in the air in my opinion, the C-130.”

U.S. Air Force illustration by Tech. Sgt. Justin Norton
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ECRS Mk2 has flown for the first time

Posted on October 1, 2024 by alert5

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has reached a significant milestone in enhancing its Typhoon fleet’s capabilities with the successful first flight test of the European Common Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk2). This cutting-edge radar, developed by Leonardo UK, was tested on a Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft at BAE Systems in Lancashire, marking a crucial step in the programme’s development.

Photo: RAF

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