Alert 5

F-35A Frankenjet is now operational

Posted on April 11, 2025April 11, 2025 by alert5

The U.S. Air Force has successfully returned a reconstructed F-35A fighter jet to operational status after combining parts from two damaged aircraft, officials announced this week.

An F-35A Lightning II, known as “Frankenjet” and assigned to the 4th Fighter Generation Squadron, 388th Fighter Wing, returns to Hill Air Force Base on March 26, 2025. The aircraft previously underwent final maintenance at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas, before reentering operational service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Nathan Poblete)

U.S. to deploy MQ-4C in Japan for indefinite period

Posted on April 9, 2025April 9, 2025 by alert5

The United States military will deploy several MQ-4C Triton surveillance drones to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture for an indefinite period, Japanese defense officials announced Apr. 8. The unmanned aircraft are expected to begin operations within weeks, following a previous temporary deployment last year from May to October.

A U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton with Unmanned Patrol
Squadron 19 (VUP-19) departs Marine Corp Air Station
Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 5, 2022. Due to its geographic
location and co-located airfield and harbor, MCAS
Iwakuni is uniquely postured to provide advanced naval
integration in support of regional security. (U.S. Marine
Corps photo by Cpl. Mitchell Austin)

Japan simulated attacks on Chinese ships during Taiwan invasion scenario during Exercise Keen Edge 2024

Posted on April 8, 2025April 8, 2025 by alert5

Japan and the United States conducted a joint military exercise in February 2024 that simulated Japanese forces attacking Chinese vessels during a Taiwan invasion scenario, according to an exclusive report published by Sankei Shimbun on Apr. 6.

Members of United States Forces Japan, Japan Joint Staff, and Australian Defence Force coordinate plans during Exercise Keen Edge 24 at the Bilateral Joint Operations Coordination Center on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 1, 2024. Historically a bilateral JJS and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercise that allows the United States and Japan to practice coordination procedures, this iteration will also include the participation of Australia for the first time, further highlighting the multinational commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. KE24 is scheduled to continue through to Feb. 8, one of many annual U.S.-Japan operations and exercises that increases readiness to respond to a variety of crises and contingencies, maintaining the Alliance as a credible deterrence in an increasingly complex threat environment.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Wright

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Swedish Defence Materiel Administration signs contract for Thales Ground Master 200 radars

Posted on April 8, 2025April 8, 2025 by alert5

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets materielverk – FMV) has signed a contract with Thales for the delivery of Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radar systems (GM200 MM/C). The agreement, valued at approximately one billion Swedish kronor, was finalized on Apr. 3.

Photo: FMV
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Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Photographing Fighter Jets at Suwon Air Base

Posted on April 7, 2025April 7, 2025 by alert5

Two Chinese teenagers have been detained by South Korean authorities for illegally photographing military aircraft at an air force base in Suwon, according to a report published by JoongAng Ilbo on Apr. 7.

Republic of Korea Air Force KF-5 aircraft takeoff from Suwon Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 7,2024. Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224, Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), known as the Fighting Bengals, are conducting joint training with the Republic of Korea Air Force to enhance their standard of readiness and lethality with our allies. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Calah Thompson)

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