Military Aviation News

F-16 News

 RoCAF F-16 crashes into the sea - Pilot safe
A RoCAF F-16A block 20 crashed into the sea off the coast of Southern Taiwan, around 14.00h local time today, during a training flight. The pilot ejected and was rescued.
Turkish F-16C crashes close to Syrian border Turkish rescue teams have found the wreckage of a Turkish Airforce F-16C block 50 which crashed close to the Syrian border. The pilot Lt. Hamza Gümüşsoy ejected, but did not survive.
Iraq purchases a further 18 F-16s's
On Tuesday it was announced that Lockheed Martin Aeronautics were awarded a $830 Million contract to supply Iraq with a further batch of 18 F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The contract is expected to run through till April 30, 2014.
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F-35 News

 F-35 fighter takes another step forward
The Air Force took another step forward with its newest fighter jet when an advanced F-35 Lightning II landed at the service's lead training base, home to the largest fleet of F-35s worldwide.
UK F-35 base announced
The UK's Lightning II stealth fighter aircraft will be based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond announced today.
First international student pilot flies F-35
The first international student aviator at the 33rd Fighter Wing, training to be an F-35B Lightning II instructor pilot, completed his first sortie in the joint strike fighter here March 19.
Nellis accepts delivery of F-35 with ceremony
In the Thunderbird Hangar filled to capacity, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Lofgren, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, formally accepted delivery of three F-35A Lightning IIs March 19.
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F-22 News

 CTF celebrates Raptor's 1,000th sortie
The F-22 Combined Test Force celebrated an impressive milestone April 19, when the oldest flying Raptor successfully completed its 1,000th sortie.
Hawaiian F-22 Raptors successfully complete first...
A total force team comprised of F-22 Raptors, active duty and Hawaii Air National Guard personnel successfully completed the Hawaiian Raptors first over-water deployment when they returned from Red Flag 13-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, February 2.
Tyndall resumes F-22 flying operations
The 325th Fighter Wing resumed normal flight operations today as the Wing Commander, Col. David Graff, flew one of the first F-22 Raptor missions this morning at approximately 07:45 hrs.
F-22 crashes at Tyndall AFB
An Air Force F-22 Raptor crashed near Florida's Highway 98 on Thursday at 15:30hrs local time. The pilot was able to eject safely and there were no injuries on the ground, the military said.
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F-16 Fleet Status
F-16 fleet - May 20, 2013
Fleet overview:
scrapped: 53
write-off: 557
preserved: 128
stored: 640
instructional: 93
on order: 62
active: 3048
Changes '12/'13:
Fleet adds: 57
Fleet drop: 49
See detailed fleet reports
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Quote of the Day
Training errors are recorded on paper. Tactical errors are etched in stone.
-- Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
Today in history
20 May 1983
US President Ronald Reagan's administration lifts nearly year-long embargo on sale of advanced F-16 fighter planes to Israel, imposed after Israel invaded Lebanon.
Image Gallery
Tail detail of RDAF F-16AM #E-177 with the 'MLU-fasthands' logo in a maintenance hangar at Aalborg AB on July 19th, 1996.
F-16 Hall of Fame
First General Electric powered F-16
USAF #75745
F-16A
Modified as F-16/101 with a General Electric F101 engine and first flight with this engine was on May 29th, 1981. This engine later led to the GE F110 engine installed from block 30 onwards.
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F-16 Unit
134 FS "Green Mountain Boys" (USAF ANG)
Callsign of the day

Callsign "Yak"

On our way for a TDY to Turkey for ONW in 98, we had a ride in a KC-135, my first ride in a tanker. Everybody noticed that I looked queezy, and even though I never yakked, my nickname was officially "Yak" for my entire Air Force career. Good times, good people, and good memories.
Sierra Hotel
Latest Viper Drivers to reach 1K - 6K flying hours:
6,000 Hours 6,000 Hrs
2008-05-02

  Lt.Col. Mike "Brillo" Brill

| 466 FS | 421 FS  
5,000 Hours 5,000 Hrs
2012-03-13

  Lt.Col. Kurt R. "Lo-Tek" Tek

| 162 FW | 162 FW  
4,000 Hours 4,000 Hrs
2012-08-08
3,000 Hours 3,000 Hrs
2013-03-28
2,000 Hours 2,000 Hrs
2013-02-27
1,000 Hours 1,000 Hrs
2012-12-26

  Capt. Kaan Bostan

192 Filo  
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Crew Chief Profiles

 TSgt. Jason Blataric

 (added: 14 May 2013)
34 FS | 14 FS | 149 FW | 149 FW | 149 FW | 144 FW | 301 FW

 SSgt. Michael McMonigle

 (added: 19 Jun 2007)
61 FS | 310 FS | 56 FW | 51 FW

 TSgt. Matthew Merryman

 (added: 13 Apr 2013)
78 FS | 55 FS

 SrA. Joel Pfeiffer

 (added: 5 Apr 2013)
18 AS

 TSgt. David Milota

 (added: 16 Feb 2007)
22 FS | 22 FS | UAV Predator