Both the Czech Republic and Hungary have officially announced that they cannot afford new fighter aircraft. ...

More than 5, 000 troops backed by air power have begun an assault against Kurdish guerrillas in a mountain stronghold in eastern Turkey, security officials said on Thursday. ...

The New Zealand Govt has just announced that it will lease-buy the28 Pakistani F16s. New Zealand's minority government on Tuesday opted to acquire 28 barely used fighters from the United States, saying it would make a huge savings by leasing planes unwanted by the Pentagon. The 10-year lease for the F-6A/B fighters costs about NZ$200 million ($105 million). The Vipers have to replace New Zealand's 19 aging, subsonic A-4 Skyhawk strike planes. This move should save NZ$431 million over the cost of buying new planes next century. The government opted to acquire the F-16s under a lease-buy deal, with payments spread over 10 years and delivery starting in 30 months. Pakistan originally paid Lockheed Martin for the supersonic fighters in1990, but Congress blocked delivery over concerns about that country's developing nuclear capacity. ...

Six Kunsan F-16s deployed to Peya Lebar Republic of Singapore Air Force Base, Singapore, last month in support of Commando Sling, an ongoing cooperative effort of air combat training between the U.S. and Republic of Singapore Air Forces. ...

The United States announced Tuesday it had offered to sell 30 F-15and 60 F-16 fighter jets to Israel for $5 billion to help maintain the Middle East ally's advantage over potential foes....

First Lt. Brice Simpson, the pilot of the F-16 which crashed at Misawa nearly two months ago, died Sept. 17 as a result of the injuries sustained in the July 24 accident. Simpson, who was assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron here, crashed while trying to take off on a routine training mission. He ejected from his aircraft during the incident. A memorial service for Simpson is scheduled for 4 p. m. Sept. 22 at the Misawa Air Base Chapel. ...

The United States announced on Wednesday it had offered to sell $2 billion in sophisticated aircraft armament to the United Arab Emirates. The Defense Department said the potential sale, which would require final approval from the Gulf Arab ally, would include 491 AIM-120B AMRAAM Missiles, 267 AIM-9M Sidewinder, 163 AGM-88 Harm, 1, 163AGM-65D/G Maverick, 52 AGM-84 Harpoon, laser guided bombs, 20mm ammunition and other weaponry. The Emirates, one of a group of moderate Gulf states allied with the United States, has indicated it plans to purchase 80 Lockheed Martin Corp. fighter jets. ...

An Air Force Reserve Command F-16D crashed Sept. 12 at Avon Park Range, about 50 miles south of Orlando, killing the pilot, Capt. Thomas Carr. ...

Israel's Defense Ministry confirmed on Tuesday Israel and Turkey will hold a first joint air force exercise but said no date had been set for the maneuver. The London-based Jane's Defense Weekly said in its latest issue the two countries would stage a six-day air exercise in Israeli airspace starting on Sunday with the participation of Turkish F-16s. Israel and Turkey signed a military cooperation agreement in 1996 that allows both countries to use each other's airspace for training. The agreement has drawn fire from Arab and Islamic countries in the region. ...

Nine C-130s from Ramstein's 37thAirlift Squadron delivered equipment and people as part of Operation Lion Drop IV -- a joint mass tactical exercise conducted with the U.S. Army's Southern European Task Force....

Air Combat Command officials released the Aircraft Accident Investigation Report Sept. 1 on the March 23 F-16C gear-collapse incident on the runway at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The aircraft was from the 4thFighter Squadron. The report concluded the accident was caused by the pilot, Lt. Col. John Burgess Jr., failing to properly control his descent rate during landing. The rapid descent occurred during a late turn to line up with the runway. The left main gear collapsed upon touchdown causing the aircraft to skid down the runway. Sparks from the aircraft, along with leaking fuel, resulted in a portion of the jet catching fire. The pilot ejected from the aircraft, suffering minor injuries. Burgess was returning to Hill from a training mission focusing on night aerial refueling and procedures for dropping laser-guided bombs. ...

A Cannon Air Force Base F-16 crashed at 09.13h CDT Sept. 1, 30 miles southwest of Fort Sumner, N. M. Maj. Kevin Frisbie, 523rd Fighter Squadron, ejected from the aircraft. ...

Air Combat Command released the Aircraft Accident Investigation Report on the March 23 F-16C gear collapse incident on the runway at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Sept. 1. The aircraft was from the 4th Fighter Squadron. ...