Category: Air Force

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report that reviewed operation and maintenance (O&M) funding and readiness for fighter aircraft. The report found that while O&M funding execution from fiscal years 2018 to 2023 was generally consistent with requests, tactical aircraft mission capable rates have generally not met service goals. The report attributes this to several factors, including ageing aircraft, maintenance challenges, and issues with supply support.

Continue reading “GAO calls for F-35 sustainment overhaul, citing poor performance and rising costs”

An F-16C Fighting Falcon, tail number 89-002023, was badly damaged in a non-flying mishap on Nov. 17, 2023 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The aircraft, assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, was parked and unmanned at the time of the incident. The accident, which resulted in an estimated $30,241,892.00 in damages to government property and $4,954.00 in environmental cleanup costs, was triggered by a series of events involving a runaway MJ-1 weapons loader, also known as a “jammer.”

Graphic: USAF
Continue reading “F-16 damaged in collision with runaway munitions loader”

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.

Continue reading “French Rafales soar over Yorktown, marking 200 years since Lafayette’s farewell tour”

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.

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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.

Continue reading “Greece declines NATO Baltic Air Policing mission”