Alert 5

Taiwan has retired its MIM-23 HAWK GBAD system after 63 years of service

Posted on June 30, 2023 by alert5

The Republic of China Air Force Air Defense and Missile Command held a retirement ceremony for the MIM-23 HAWK ground base air defense missile system on Jun. 29. The ceremony was presided over by Lt. Gen. Sun Lien Sheng, the Deputy Commander of the Air Force. Senior Air Force officials, former air defense commanders, and their personnel attended the event to witness the official retirement of the Hawk missile system.

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First U.S. Air Force pilot to fly T-7A

Posted on June 30, 2023 by alert5

Maj. Bryce Turner, a test pilot hailing from the 416th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California, has accomplished a significant feat by becoming the first U.S. Air Force pilot to soar through the skies in the cutting-edge Boeing T-7A Red Hawk. This momentous event took place on Jun. 28 during a test flight at the Boeing aircraft delivery center in St. Louis, Missouri, marking a historic milestone for both Turner and the Air Force.

T-7A Red Hawk Engineering and Manufacturing Development First Flight, St. Louis Lambert International Airport – St. Louis, MO. MSF23-030 Series.

Photo By Adam Bowles
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RAND: Taiwan is vulnerable to defeat by China within 90 days

Posted on June 30, 2023June 30, 2023 by alert5

In an updated research report by RAND, experts have highlighted the vulnerability of Taiwan to resist a potential Chinese attack by up to 90 days. The report focuses on assessing the country’s capacity to resist a large-scale military assault, stressing the importance of key variables such as political leadership, social cohesion, military effectiveness, durability, and potential military intervention by the United States.

Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Biden administration clears sale of F-35A to Czech Republic

Posted on June 30, 2023 by alert5

The United States State Department has given its approval for a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Czech Republic. The sale includes F-35 Aircraft, Munitions, and related equipment, with an estimated value of up to $5.62 billion. The actual dollar value may vary depending on final requirements, budget authority, and the conclusion of signed sales agreements.

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, assigned to the 495th Fighter Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, lands for the first time at Souda Air Base, Greece, July 7, 2022. The fifth-generation aircraft will be participating in exercise Poseidon’s Rage, in an effort to bolster U.S.-Hellenic readiness and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force Photo By Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)

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Indian Air Force to host multilateral exercise Tarang Shakti

Posted on June 29, 2023 by alert5

The Indian Air Force is gearing up to host Tarang Shakti, a highly anticipated and significant multilateral air defense exercise, which is scheduled to take place from October to November. This exercise, as reported by Hindustan Times, is set to be the largest of its kind conducted by the Indian Air Force.

Indian Air Force, GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons
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