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Switzerland delivers first of 22 F-5 Tigers to United States

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The Swiss Federal Office for Armaments (armasuisse) has begun delivery of 22 decommissioned F-5E/F Tiger II fighter jets to the United States. The first aircraft was picked up by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) on Mar. 18 from Emmen Air Force Station aboard a Lockheed KC-130J transport aircraft.


Photo: Armasuisse
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How Eglin AFB created the M129 E3 “Cookie Bomb” in four days

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Eglin Air Force Base in Florida played a critical role in providing humanitarian aid during the 1999 Kosovo conflict. The challenge arose from the need to deliver Humanitarian Daily Rations (HDRs) to refugees scattered across the region. Traditional cargo aircraft were deemed unsuitable due to bad weather conditions and the threat of surface-to-air missiles.


Photo: USAF

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Canopy sill longeron cracks are appearing on USAF F-16 fleet

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Over the past year, cracks have been identified in the canopy sill longerons (CSLs) of 90 F-16s across the entire U.S. Air Force inventory. These cracks can potentially ground aircraft and necessitate depot-level repairs, impacting operational readiness.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 120th Fighter Squadron, Colorado Air National Guard painted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the unit flies over Pike National Forest, Colorado, May 8, 2023. Today the ÒREDEYESÓ of the120th are a dual-purpose fighter squadron with pilots qualified to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions including Offensive Counter-Air (OCA), Defensive Counter-Air (DCA), OCA Interdiction, Close Air Support (CAS), and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Matthew Plew)

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American F-35s landed in Sweden for the first time

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The deployment to Sweden as part of Exercise Nordic Response 24 marked the first overseas exercise for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 since achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on Feb. 5. The historic landing of a U.S. F-35B on Swedish soil took place on March 13, 2024.

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), refuel an F-35B Lightning II jet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd MAW, using aviation-delivered ground-refueling during Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Lulea, Sweden, March 13, 2024. VMFA-542 and VMGR-252 demonstrated aviation-delivered ground refueling during a distributed aviation operation to showcase expeditionary advanced-base operations using host-nation support. The training event marked the first U.S. F-35 landing in Sweden at Kallax Air Base. Exercise Nordic Response 24 is designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting scenarios under challenging arctic conditions while providing U.S. Marines unique opportunities to train alongside NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

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The Oregon Air National Guard takes historic first flight with F-15EX

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The skies above Florida recently bore witness to a momentous occasion for the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing, as Lt. Col. Joel “Thermo” Thesing, an F-15C instructor pilot from the 123rd Fighter Squadron, became the unit’s first aviator to take the controls of the highly anticipated F-15EX fighter jet. This inaugural flight marks a significant step forward as the 142nd Wing prepares to transition its fleet to this next variant of the Boeing F-15.

123rd Fighter Squadron pilot, Lt. Col. Joel “Thermo” Thesing climbs into an F-15 EX at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 7, 2024. Thesing is the first Portland, Ore.-based pilot to fly and train in the EX, marking a significant milestone for his unit, the 142nd Wing, which is slated to receive their first EX this summer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mr. Dave Shelikoff)

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