Alert 5

Japan to deploy F-15s to Europe and the U.K.

Posted on August 29, 2025 by alert5

Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15J fighters will deploy to Europe and the U.K., marking the first time Japanese military aircraft have been stationed on the continent as part of expanding defense cooperation with the United Kingdom.

A Japanese Air Self Defense Force F-15J Eagle departs after refueling from a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender assigned to the 9th Air Refueling Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California, over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex June 23, 2021. RED FLAG-Alaska 21-1 is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise designed to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment. A series of commander-directed field training exercises provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support, and large force employment training. The RF-A exercise provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces to include the Japanese Air Self-Defense and Republic of Korea Air Forces into joint and multilateral training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Farnsworth)

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Ice formation from contaminated hydraulic fluid led to F-35A flight control failure in Alaska

Posted on August 27, 2025 by alert5

Water contamination in hydraulic fluid caused ice formation that led to the Jan. 28 crash of an F-35A Lightning II at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, resulting in a $196.5 million total loss, according to an Air Force accident investigation board report released this week.

Senior Airman Jose Miguel T. Tamondong, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Last American WWII fighter ace dies at 103

Posted on August 24, 2025 by alert5

Donald McPherson, believed to be America’s last surviving World War II fighter ace, died Aug. 14 at age 103, ending a direct link to the elite cadre of aviators who achieved air-to-air combat victories against Axis forces.

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Textron’s ATAC unit wins $7.82 million contract for F-16 chase services

Posted on August 19, 2025 by alert5

Airborne Tactical Advantage Company, a unit of Textron Inc., secured a task order worth up to $7.82 million to provide chase flight support services for F-16 aircraft under the Foreign Military Sales program, the company announced Aug. 18.

A pilot taxis down the flightline in an F-21 Kafir aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Nov. 6. The Airborne Tactical Advantage Company is training with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 for the next two weeks to support new and transition pilots in their certification for the F-35B. The pilot is with ATAC.

Photo by Cpl. Benjamin McDonald

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South Korea weighs KC-46 purchase amid Trump push for higher defense spending

Posted on August 18, 2025 by alert5

South Korea is preparing for intense negotiations over military alliance costs during President Lee Jae-myung’s upcoming Washington summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, with Boeing’s KC-46 aerial refueling aircraft potentially playing a key role in the discussions after a recent trade deal deliberately sidestepped the contentious defense funding issue.

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