Communist Party member among Chinese students accused of spying on U.S. carrier in Busan

South Korean authorities investigating three Chinese students accused of illegally filming the American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, while it was docked in Busan on Jun. 25 have found out that one of the accused have previously been recognised as a model member of the Chinese Communist Party. The incident has raised serious concerns as investigators believe the students may have been acting under the direction of Chinese intelligence.

BUSAN, Republic of Korea (June 25, 2024) Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol, middle, tours the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as he’s accompanied by Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, far right, commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine, in Busan, Republic of Korea, June 25, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt is in the Republic of Korea for a scheduled port visit, supporting operational readiness and ROK-U.S. alliance. Theodore Roosevelt is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine and is currently conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher J. Crawford)

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SiAW cores first flight test milestone

The U.S. Air Force successfully released its new Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) from an F-16 over the Gulf of Mexico on Nov. 7. The test, involving a jettison test vehicle (JTV), marked the first time the SiAW separated from an aircraft. The JTV lacked a rocket motor and internal electronics, focusing solely on the weapon’s safe separation from the aircraft.

A 40th Flight Test Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon releases a Stand-in Attack Weapon for the first time Nov. 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The mission marked the first time the weapon was successfully released from an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Blake Wiles)

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Chinook crew’s spatial disorientation cited in fatal Ottawa River crash

A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH147F Chinook helicopter, tail number CH147310, crashed into the Ottawa River on the night of Jun. 19, 2023, killing two pilots. The accident occurred during a demanding night training exercise designed to challenge student pilots as part of the Tactical First Officer Course. The newly released accident report concludes that the crew experienced spatial disorientation, leading to a Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT).


Photo: RCAF
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B-1s to touch down in Grand Forks for 10-month stay

The U.S. Air Force is temporarily relocating 17 B-1B Lancer bombers and 800 airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, to Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. This marks the return of the B-1 to Grand Forks after 30 years. The move is necessary to allow for runway construction at Ellsworth AFB in preparation for the arrival of the new B-21 Raider.

U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing lands for a refueling at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., September 29, 2024. The bomber arrived at Grand Forks AFB in preparation for the jet’s temporary relocation to the base to continue flying operations while the flightline at Ellsworth Air Force Base undergoes reconstruction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Emma Funderburk)

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Two RAAF P-8As deploy to Malaysia for Operation Gateway

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has once again sent two of its P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base Butterworth. This deployment is part of Operation Gateway, Australia’s longest-running defence operation. Flight tracking data from airplanes.live reveals that the two aircraft touched down in Malaysia on Nov. 23.


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