Air Force Archives - Page 94 of 2552

Fargo AFB to host hypersonic missile testing data center

Posted on August 30, 2023 by alert5

In a significant move that underlines North Dakota’s growing role in national defense initiatives, a hypersonic missile data processing center is slated to be established at the Air National Guard base at Hector Field. This announcement was made by Senator John Hoeven, during the Grand Farm Autonomous Nation Conference at the Fargo Microsoft campus on Aug. 29. The data center is a crucial component of the Sky Range hypersonic missile testing program, poised to transform the landscape of missile development and testing.

Airmen assigned to the 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, perform a maintenance check June 6, 2022, on an RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft at Grand Sky on Grand Forks Air Force Base. The RQ-4 Block 30s will be used at the Test Resource Management Center’s High Speed System Test Department. Located on Grand Forks Air Force Base, Grand Sky is a business and aviation park focused on developing and growing the unmanned aerial systems industry. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Richards)

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A growing controversy: Land purchases near Travis Air Force Base raise national security concerns

Posted on August 28, 2023 by alert5

In recent years, a series of land purchases totaling nearly $1 billion has stirred up a storm of controversy around the Travis Air Force Base in Solano County, California. The transactions, carried out by a company named “Flannery Associates,” have raised significant national security concerns and sparked debates over the intentions behind the acquisitions.

Dcoetzee, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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USAF demonstrates Rapid Dragon capability in Qatar

Posted on August 27, 2023 by alert5

The U.S. Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) has showcased a significant capability by successfully demonstrating the loading and unloading of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) onto the MC-130J Commando II aircraft. The airmen also demonstrated the arming of Rapid Dragon using the AGM-158. This demonstration took place at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Aug. 6.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Frank Rohrig
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North Korea said to have started program to convert outdated fighters into suicide drones

Posted on August 25, 2023 by alert5

Choe Su-ryong, a former agent of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), has revealed that North Korea has embarked on a significant military modernization effort, repurposing outdated fighter jets into suicide drones armed with precision-guided munitions. These unmanned suicide drones are intended to strike major industrial and infrastructure facilities in South Korea, according to Choe’s statements to The Korea Times.

元諜報員, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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#FighterFriday

Posted on August 25, 2023 by alert5

Three U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, part of the 18th Aggressor Squadron stationed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, soar in formation alongside a KC-46A Pegasus from the 133rd Aerial Refueling Squadron, stationed at Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. This synchronized flight occurred during RED FLAG-Alaska 23-3 over the expansive expanse of the Joint Pacific-Alaska Range Complex on August 18, 2023. At the heart of this joint exercise, the 18th Aggressor Squadron plays a vital role by sharing insights into adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures, enhancing the preparedness of all participating units.

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andrew Britten
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