9th Air Refueling Squadron retires its flagship KC-10

The U.S. Air Force’s last active KC-10 Extender wing, the 60th Air Mobility Wing, bid farewell to a special aircraft on Jan. 11th: tail number 79-1946. This Extender, nicknamed the “flagship” by its crew, completed its final flight from Travis Air Force Base to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, where it will be stored at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group facility, also known as “The Boneyard.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob St. George, 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 14 KC-10/KC-46 crew chief instructor, directs a KC-10 Extender on the flight line at Travis Air Force Base, California, Jan. 11, 2024. The 9th Air Refueling Squadron leaders designated this specific aircraft as the squadron flagship based off historical records and documentation. The term “flagship” traditionally referred to the ship that carried the commander of a naval fleet, deeming it most important. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenneth Abbate)

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Georgia Air National Guard receives first C-130J-30 cargo plane

A new era has dawned for the Georgia Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Wing, as the first of eight state-of-the-art C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft touched down in Savannah on January 22nd. This momentous occasion marks not only a technological leap for the wing but also a testament to the thriving aerospace industry in Georgia and the strong partnership between the state and Lockheed Martin.

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Northrop Grumman’s DMON enable CAF to execute a large-force, virtual training event

The air combat of tomorrow may be fought in a virtual world, at least when it comes to training. In a recent exercise dubbed “DMON Argonne 23,” the U.S. Air Force successfully conducted a large-scale virtual training event, putting pilots of its most advanced fighter jets through their paces in a complex, multi-domain scenario.


Photo: Northrop Grumman
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How Boeing plans to fix KC-46A’s critical issues

The mighty KC-46A Pegasus, Boeing’s pride and joy of the skies, has encountered some turbulence. Plagued by technical glitches and safety concerns, this aerial refueller has faced a $7 billion headwind. But instead of throwing in the towel, Boeing is rolling up its sleeves and taking the Pegasus back to the hangar for a thorough overhaul. Six critical issues stand between the Pegasus and its full potential, and here’s how Boeing plans to fix them, one by one. Michael Marrow from Breaking Defense toured Boeing’s Seattle-area facilities where the KC-46A is built and officials explained how they plan to tackle each issue.

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More than 40 F-16s to converge on Edwards AFB for the fighter jet’s 50th birthday bash

On Jan. 25th, 2024, Edwards Air Force Base will roar with excitement as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s first flight. This iconic aircraft, known for its sleek design and unparalleled agility, has revolutionized air combat and continues to serve as a vital weapon in the U.S. Air Force arsenal.

General Dynamics YF-16 Fighting Falcon (401), USA - Air Force AN0969989
Mike Freer – Touchdown-aviation (GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2), via Wikimedia Commons
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