8th Fighter Squadron honors stealthy past with F-16 “Black Sheep” flagship

The 8th Fighter Squadron (FS) at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, recently unveiled a striking new addition to their fleet – an F-16 Viper flagship painted in a sleek matte black color scheme, reminiscent of the legendary F-117 Nighthawk. This unique paint job serves as a powerful tribute to the squadron’s history and the groundbreaking capabilities of the retired stealth aircraft.

An F-16 Viper assigned to the 8th Fighter Squadrons flies over Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, June 6, 2024. The squadron’s new flagship honors the F-117 Nighthawk, which was flown by the 8th FS for over 25 years. (Courtesy photo)

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85th Fighter Group and the 57th Fighter Squadron reactivated at Ebbing ANG base

Ebbing Air National Guard Base (EANG) in Fort Smith, Arkansas, witnessed a significant moment on Jul. 2nd, with the reactivation of the 85th Fighter Group and the 57th Fighter Squadron. These units, previously stationed in Iceland, are poised to embark on a new mission – training fighter pilots from allied nations on the F-35 stealth fighter jet.


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Pakistan likely upgrading the JF-17 for potential nuclear role, analysis by FAS suggests

A recently emerged photo has reignited discussions about Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program and its modernization efforts. The image depicts a JF-17 Thunder Block II aircraft carrying what appears to be a Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), potentially signifying a new chapter for Pakistan’s nuclear delivery capabilities.

Pakistan Air Force Pakistan JF-17 Thunder Bidini-1
Aldo Bidini (GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2), via Wikimedia Commons

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