Forum: F-16 News

Maroc-USA. Coopération militaire
23 Janvier 2009

Une délégation d’experts militaires américains accompagnée d’experts de la société Martin Lookhed qui avait remporté le fameux marché de vente de 24 F 16 au Maroc, est en visite dans le Royaume en vue d’évaluer les besoins des Forces Royales Air et encadrement de pilotes de chasse. Une équipe de deux experts américains devait se rendre à la base militaire aérienne de Benguérir pour la prospection sur place avant qu’ils ne reviennent s’installer pour une longue durée avec leurs familles au Maroc.

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Royal' visitors tour Luke
by DEBORAH SILLIMAN WOLFE
Thunderbolt staff writer

3/17/2009 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- To an outsider looking in, it may have looked like a typical briefing; military members gathered around a conference table discussing ideas while viewing a PowerPoint presentation describing aspects of the maintenance and operational side of Luke Air Force Base, the largest F-16 Fighting Falcon training base in the world. But this brief was anything but typical.

Four of the men at the conference table were members of the Royal Moroccan air force who are in the process of building an F-16 base in their home country. They travelled 6,000 miles to meet Luke Airmen, talk with them and tour the installation to get an insider's perspective on how an F-16 base operates.

"These guys are getting a squadron of F-16s in the near future and they are going to stand up an F-16 base from the ground up," said Capt. Matthew Kucia, 425th Fighter Squadron standardization and evaluations officer. "They are not just putting F-16s on an existing base; they are building the entire infrastructure."

Captain Kucia said the Moroccan team decided to come to Luke since it is the largest F-16 wing in the world with more than 180 jets. They wanted to see how the base integrates the jets, base operations and maintenance. He also said the team will visit the 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson, Ariz., as well, since that is where international F-16 training is done.

Col. M'hamed Saufi, Royal Moroccan air force, said that the visit has been very helpful for him and his fellow airmen.

"Our base will be different in that it will be small compared to Luke," Colonel Saufi said. "The number of technicians and pilots will not be the same since we will have fewer facilities. But we can apply Luke's organizational points of view and the maintenance procedures applied to the aircraft, especially how to handle the foreign object debris on the field and the maintenance of the fleet."

Colonel Saufi said the most interesting aspect he saw at Luke is the infrastructure and the organization, especially in the maintenance squadron, civil engineering and the readiness supply section.

"I am amazed at all the questions they're asking," said 1st Lt. Kevin Mauersberg, 310th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer-in-charge. "The questions are spot-on, so they've done their homework. It's good to hear what they're asking; it tells me that they're engaged, and we're giving them the right information."

The U.S. Department of State describes Morocco as a moderate Arab state which maintains close relations with Europe and the United States. It is a member of the United Nations and belongs to the Arab League, Arab Maghreb Union, Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the Non-Aligned Movement. Although not a member of the African Union, Morocco remains involved in African diplomacy. It contributes consistently to U.N. peacekeeping efforts on the continent.

"Morocco is one of the United States oldest and closest allies in Africa," said Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing commander. "It was great to be able to share information with members of a country that has many of the same ideals as the United States concerning conflict resolution, counter-terrorism cooperation and public outreach."

source: http://www.luke.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123140115

The Moroccan F-16 is a monstrosity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Orlando Fla., was awarded a $30,300,000 contract for the purchase of sniper advanced targeting pods, in support of the foreign military sales customer, Morroco. At this time, $15,150,000 has been obligated. Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center/448 SCMG/PKHCB, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8522-09-C-0013).

Obama Okays F-16 weapon systems for Morocco
Tuesday, September 15, 2009

WASHINGTON — The United States has been advancing Morocco's first F-16 multi-role fighter program.

The administration of President Barack Obama has approved a Moroccan request for support equipment for the F-16 program. In 2008, Morocco ordered 24 F-16 Block 52+ fighters in a $2.4 billion deal.

Under the latest Moroccan request, Rabat has sought support equipment and weaponry for the F-16 C/D Block 50/52. Officials said the cost of the Moroccan request was estimated at $187 million.

"Delivery of these weapon system will greatly enhance Morocco's interoperability with the U.S. and other NATO nations, making it a more valuable partner in an increasingly important area of the world," the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

In a Sept. 9 statement, the Pentagon agency identified the F-16 weapons as the Maverick missile, Paveway-2 and Vulcan. Morocco has requested 20 Maverick air-to-ground, or AGM-65D, missiles as well as eight training missiles.

The Obama administration has also approved Rabat's request for 60 enhanced GBU-12 Paveway-2 kits and 28 M-61 20 mm Vulcan cannons. Morocco also wants to install communications, air combat pods, targeting pods, ground stations, night-vision goggles, joint mission planning systems and radar-warning receivers.

"The proposed sale will allow the Moroccan Air Force to modernize its aging fighter inventory, thereby enabling Morocco to support both its own air defense needs and coalition operations," DSCA said. "Morocco is one of the most stable and pro-Western of the Arab states, and the U.S. remains committed to a long-term relationship with Morocco."

The contractors in the proposed project were identified as Lockheed Martin, BAE, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and L-3 Communications. Officials said the deal would not include offsets.

"Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. government personnel or contractor representatives to Morocco," DSCA said.


source: http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribun ... _09_15.asp