Alert 5

U.S. Navy testing out RQ-20A in Arabian Gulf

Posted on August 12, 2016August 12, 2016 by alert5

During a Griffin Missile System test in the Arabian Gulf last month, USS Monsoon took out its newest asset, the RQ-20A Puma AE, to gauge its capabilities.

160722-N-GC639-088 ARABIAN GULF (July 22, 2016) Electronics Technician 2nd Class Darius Jackman launches a Puma unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the patrol coastal ship USS Monsoon (PC 4). Monsoon is one of ten patrol coastal ships assigned to Patrol Coastal Squadron (PCRON) 1 home-ported in Manama, Bahrain in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan D. McLearnon/Released)

Facing shortage of fighter pilots, USAF reassigning F-16s from Hill AFB to training bases

Posted on August 12, 2016August 12, 2016 by alert5

The U.S. Air Force has admitted that it has an urgent “need for additional fighter pilot production” and will move F-16s at Hill AFB to two current F-16 training locations as “an interim solution.”

By: Master Sgt. Benjamin Bloker [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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Three E-2C pilots awarded Armed Forces Air Medal for saving aircraft

Posted on August 12, 2016August 12, 2016 by alert5

The three aviators who saved a E-2C from crashing into the sea during a failed arrested landing aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on Mar. 18 have been awarded the Armed Forces Air Medal.

160729-N-CZ759-002 ARABIAN GULF (July 29, 2016) Lt. Cmdr. Kellen Smith, assigned to the Screwtops of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123 is awarded the Air Medal in the forecastle of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike). Ike and its Carrier Strike Group are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Theodore Quintana/Released) — 160729-N-CZ759-002
ARABIAN GULF (July 29, 2016) Lt. Cmdr. Kellen Smith, assigned to the Screwtops of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123 is awarded the Air Medal in the forecastle of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike). Ike and its Carrier Strike Group are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Theodore Quintana/Released)

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B-1B back in anechoic chamber

Posted on August 12, 2016August 12, 2016 by alert5

A B-1B bomber has been sitting inside the Benefield Anechoic Facility at Edwards Air Force Base since Jul. 27 so that engineers can calibrate and improve the B-1B’s ALQ-161 threat protection system.

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (July 27, 2016) A B-1 Lancer is positioned inside the Benefield Anechoic Facility, called the BAF for short, on Edwards Air Force Base in preparation for a series of electronic warfare tests. The B-1 is the largest aircraft for which the anechoic facility was originally designed to accommodate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Okula)

Bulgarian Air Force chief resigns, might run for Presidency

Posted on August 12, 2016August 11, 2016 by alert5

The Bulgarian government has approved the resignation of air force chief General Roumen Radev. The local media speculate that Radev might run as a candidate for the upcoming Presidential elections under the Bulgarian Socialist Party ticket.

U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nathan L. Maysonet