Alert 5

VMFA-232 replaces VMFA-214 for UDP in Japan

Posted on September 10, 2025 by alert5

U.S. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 “Red Devils” deployed to Japan on Sept. 8, replacing VMFA-214 “Black Sheep” in the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program rotation and marking the end of the first F-35B squadron deployment under the program.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing taxis the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sep. 8, 2025. VMFA-232, an F-18 Hornet squadron from MCAS Miramar, California, deployed to augment MAG-12, 1st MAW under the Unit Deployment Program, which provides U.S.-based units with operational experience in the Indo-Pacific through continuous and overlapping deployments to the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erick Reyes)

Rare Kyushu J7W Shinden footage unveiled at Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum

Posted on September 9, 2025September 9, 2025 by alert5

Previously unseen footage of Japan’s experimental World War II fighter aircraft, the Kyushu J7W Shinden, has been donated to the Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum, offering a rare glimpse into the final desperate months of the Pacific War.

Yagyu8, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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A-10 makes final flight home to Hagerstown

Posted on September 4, 2025 by alert5

After 46 years of military service spanning combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, a veteran Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” will make its final flight this month, returning to the Maryland city where it was born.

Cory W. Watts from Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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China unveils nuclear-capable JL-1 air-launched ballistic missile at Victory Day Parade

Posted on September 3, 2025September 3, 2025 by alert5

China publicly displayed its JingLei-1 (JL-1) nuclear-armed air-launched ballistic missile for the first time during the Victory Day parade in Beijing on September 3, marking a significant milestone in the development of the country’s nuclear triad capabilities. The parade commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II.

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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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