Australia’s P-8A Maiden Flight

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
06/05/2016

06/05/2016: Australia’s first P-8A Poseidon aircraft has completed its maiden flight.

The aircraft flew a short distance from Renton Airfield to Boeing Field in Washington State USA, to where the P-8A’s sophisticated mission systems will be installed as part of project AIR 7000.

The $5.4 billion P-8A program will provide Australia’s future manned maritime patrol and response aircraft capability, replacing in part the AP-3C Orion aircraft.

The P-8A Poseidon is 39.5 metres long, has a maximum takeoff weight of 85,820kg and a wingspan of 37.6m. Powered by two jet engines, it has a top speed is 907km/h with a maximum range of 7,500km.

With a saving of US$260m compared to the initial budget, the P-8A Poseidon aircraft were acquired through a cooperative program with the United States Navy and contracted to Boeing Defence Space and Security.

A Royal Australian Air Force crew will fly the aircraft to Australia in late 2016 following post-production checks and acceptance.

Credit: Australian Ministry of Defense:5/24/16

C-130 to Osprey Cargo Transfer

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
06/01/2016

06/01/2016: Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists the Government of Japan in supporting those affected by recent earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, April 18, 2016.

The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts.

Credit: Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni:4/19/16

 

Continued Progress on Missile Defense

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
05/26/2016

05/26/2016: The Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Pacific Command, and U.S. Navy sailors aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) successfully conducted a flight test involving the launch of a medium-range ballistic missile target from the Pacific Missile Range Facility located on Kauai, Hawaii.

The flight test, designated Flight Test Other-21 (FTX-21), successfully demonstrated the ability of an Aegis Baseline 9.C1 (BMD 5.0 Capability Upgrade) configured ship to detect and track a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) target within the Earth’s atmosphere.

Credit: Missile Defense Agency:5/17/16

Exercise Southern Jackaroo

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

05/26/2016: Australian Army soldiers have been ‘digging-in’ with members from the United States Marine Corps, US Army and the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 16 at Shoalwater Bay north of Rockhampton from 14-30 May.

The trilateral exercise has been combined with Brisbane 7th Brigade’s annual combined arms training activity, Exercise Diamond Sprint, and involves almost 2000 Australians and around 365 international participants.

Over the course of the exercise they’ll live together out field, conduct urban operations and live fire activities supported by light armoured vehicles and artillery, all culminating in a Brigade defensive battle.

The aim of the exercise is to promote mutual understanding and enhance the interoperability of the nations.

 Credit:Austrlian Ministry of Defence:5/20/16

The first trilateral Exercise Southern Jackaroo was held in 2013.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/australia-hosts-japan-in-first-live-fire-exercise/story-e6frg8yo-1226653316109

http://www.marines.mil/News/NewsDisplay/tabid/3258/Article/601751/marines-jump-into-exercise-southern-jackaroo-2015.aspx

http://www.stripes.com/news/3-nations-holding-exercise-in-australia-ahead-of-talisman-saber-1.350255

The Venom in an Aerial Gunnery Refinement Exercise

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
05/25/2016

05/25/2016: U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom’s assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) conduct an Aerial Gunnery Refinement exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-16 at Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., March 30, 2016.

WTI is a seven week training event hosted by MAWTS-1 cadre which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

Credit: Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Combat Camera:3/30/16

 

 

MV-22 Osprey Night Flight Deck Landing

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
05/20/2016

05/20/2016: STRAIT OF MALACCA (March 30, 2016) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Kevin Bartold signals an MV-22 Osprey aircraft, assigned to Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron (VMM) 166 (Reinforced), as it prepares to land on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4).

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit team is seen conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations during a scheduled deployment in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Credit: USS Boxer (LHD 4):3/30/16

 

 

VMA-211 Last AV-8B Harrier Flight

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
05/16/2016

05/16/2016: Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211) conducted their last scheduled flight as an AV-8B Harrier Squadron aboard MCAS Yuma, Ariz., Friday, May 6, 2016. 

The squadron will been redesignated as an F-35B Lightining II Squadron in June of 2016.

 Credit: Marine Corps Air Station Yuma:5/6/16

 

 

 

VMA-211 Receives First F-35Bs

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

05/16/2016: Marine Attack Squadron 211 received its first two F-35B Joint Strike Fighters aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Monday, May 9, 2016.

Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 211 (VMA-211) conducted their last scheduled flight as an AV-8B Harrier Squadron aboard MCAS Yuma, Ariz., Friday, May 6, 2016. 

The squadron will be redesignated as an F-35B Lightining II Squadron in June of 2016.

 Credit: Marine Corps Air Station Yuma:5/9/16