Firefighter stands watch over Black Hawk Crew Chief after Potomac crash

Sean Wathen, a probationary firefighter with the D.C. Fire Department and a former Marine, stood guard over the body of Staff Sgt. Ryan O’Hara for approximately four hours after the soldier was recovered from the Potomac River. O’Hara was the crew chief of the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines flight near Reagan National Airport on Feb. 5th.


Continue reading “Firefighter stands watch over Black Hawk Crew Chief after Potomac crash”

Airbus to study Future Maritime Patrol Aircraft for France

The French Defence Procurement Agency, known as the Direction Générale de l’Armement, has awarded a significant contract to Airbus Defence and Space, in partnership with Thales, for a risk-assessment study concerning France’s next-generation maritime patrol aircraft. This 24-month contract follows an earlier architecture and feasibility study launched at the end of 2022, indicating a continued push towards modernising the nation’s maritime surveillance capabilities.


Graphic: Airbus
Continue reading “Airbus to study Future Maritime Patrol Aircraft for France”

Taiwan seeks six E-2D Hawkeyes

Amidst a backdrop of escalating regional tensions and a palpable sense of urgency, Taiwan has made a formal request to the United States for six E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft, local media reported. The request occurs at a time when the E-2D production line is active, fulfilling orders for both Japan and France, which may facilitate a smoother acquisition process.

220505-N-KD414-0130 An An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, assigned to the “Black Eagles” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, stands by during a sunset onboard Point Mugu Apr. 30, 2022. NBVC is comprised of three distinct facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, and San Nicolas Island. It is the largest employer in Ventura County and actively protects California’s largest coastal wetlands through its award-winning environmental programs.

Continue reading “Taiwan seeks six E-2D Hawkeyes”

A quick dive into the U.S. Marine Corps 2025 Aviation Plan

The United States Marine Corps is undergoing a significant transformation of its aviation assets, as detailed in the recently released 2025 Marine Aviation Plan. The plan aims to maintain a lethal and responsive Aviation Combat Element (ACE) by transitioning to an all-5th generation tactical aircraft fleet and modernising all other aspects of the ACE. The plan encompasses a wide range of updates across fixed-wing, tiltrotor, rotary-wing, unmanned, and support aircraft, each playing a crucial role in the Corps’ future warfighting capabilities.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 declares their initial operational capability (IOC) for the F-35C Lightning II, having met the standards set forth by Headquarters Marine Corps. IOC declaration marks a significant accomplishment for VMFA-314 of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) that further enables 3rd MAW to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya)

Continue reading “A quick dive into the U.S. Marine Corps 2025 Aviation Plan”