Alert 5

British, Israeli, U.S. F-35s participate in Exercise Tri-Lightning

Posted on June 27, 2019June 27, 2019 by alert5

A one-day defensive counter air exercise over the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on Jun. 25 saw F-35s from U.S., U.K. and Israel playing as blue force against red force played by previous generation fighters.

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs, center, lead a formation of Israeli Air Force F-35I Lightning IIs, right, and Royal Air Force F-35B Lightnings, left, during Exercise Tri-Lightning over an undisclosed location over the Mediterranean Sea, June 25, 2019. Tri-Lightning is a defensive counterair exercise over the Eastern Mediterranean involving the U.S. U.K., and Israel. The exercise is designed to improve interoperability and coordination in air operations among the U.S. and it’s allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Keifer Bowes)

Continue reading “British, Israeli, U.S. F-35s participate in Exercise Tri-Lightning”

Chinese Su-30s buzzed HMCS Regina in East China Sea

Posted on June 27, 2019June 27, 2019 by alert5

Canadian warship HMCS Regina was buzzed by a pair of Su-30s from China as it was underway in the East China Sea on Jun. 24.

Dmitriy Pichugin [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “Chinese Su-30s buzzed HMCS Regina in East China Sea”

Air-to-air photos of Cope West 19

Posted on June 26, 2019June 26, 2019 by alert5

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter pilot flies alongside two Indonesian air force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter pilots over Manado, Indonesia, during Cope West 19, June 20, 2019. Cope West is a two-week, Pacific Air Forces sponsored, bilateral exercise designed to advance interoperability and build upon already established partnerships between U.S. military forces and the Indonesian air force. The exercise affords both countries with opportunities to exchange techniques in aircraft generation and recovery, close air support training, air-to-air fighter training and host subject-matter expert exchange across various career fields. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melanie A. Hutto)

U.S. Army tests AH-64Ev6

Posted on June 26, 2019June 26, 2019 by alert5

An upgraded AH-64E attack helicopter recently underwent operational tests with the U.S. Army Operational Test Command’s Aviation Test Directorate.

Photo: Mr. William C. Beach, Audiovisual Production Specialist, Test Documentation Team, U.S. Army Operational Test Command
Continue reading “U.S. Army tests AH-64Ev6”

BAE Systems says it is “well placed” to help Tokyo convert Izumo for F-35B operations

Posted on June 26, 2019 by alert5

Speaking to Flight Global, BAE Systems’ managing director for Asia, Natasha Pheiffer, says her company is “well placed” to help Japan convert the Izumo-class helicopter destroyer for operating the F-35B.

Kaijō Jieitai （海上自衛隊 / Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force） [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Continue reading “BAE Systems says it is “well placed” to help Tokyo convert Izumo for F-35B operations”