It is Not All High Tech: Army Aviation Unit Prepares After Afghan Snow Storm

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03/22/2013
03/22/2013: One of the essential facts of life in Afghanistan, is not only is a long way away, but the weather is as tough as it gets. 

In this slideshow, a US Army aviation unit prepares the field for operations after an Afghan snowstorm.

Snow flies off the rotor blades of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as its rotors spin up to speed during a maintenance run up at the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade flight line, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2013.

[slidepress gallery=’army-aviation-unit-prepares-after-afghan-snow-storm’]
  • In the second photo, Spc. Cameron Powell, B Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, California National Guard, Task Force Shadow, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter mechanic, sweeps snow off the roof of a Chinook on the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade flight line, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2013.
  • In the third photo, Spc. Zachary Vehrs, B Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, California National Guard, Task Force Shadow, sweeps snow off the side of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter on the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade flight line, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2013
  • In the fourth photo, an AH-64 Apache helicopter attached to 6th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Shadow, proudly displays the 101st Airborne Division patch in spite of its generous covering of snow at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2013.
  • In the fifth photo, Soldiers from B Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, California National Guard, Task Force Shadow, sweep snow from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter’s rear rotor blade on the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade flight line, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Jan. 12, 2013

 

 

UK Pilot Finishes First Sortie at Eglin Training Facility

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03/21/2013

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.

United Kingdom Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler flew with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501.

“There were no surprises, the jet was fun to fly and the flight went as expected,” said Buchler. “The ground school training package at the Academic Training Center with the flight simulators prepared me for smooth flying.”

The ATC is part of the F-35 Integrated Training Center hosted by the 33rd FW. It is the hub for U.S. and international partner operators and maintainers of the joint strike fighter.

 

United Kingdom Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler, became the first international student-pilot to fly a sortie in the F-35B Lightning II March 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Karen Roganov)

“We couldn’t have picked a better spring day on the beautiful Emerald Coast to set another milestone for the F-35 program,” said Col. Andrew Toth, the 33rd FW commander. “Frankie and the entire team at Eglin continue to make great strides in establishing the foundation of formal maintenance and pilot training for our services and partner nations.”

Marine Capt. Daniel Flately was Buchler’s instructor pilot who flew wingman in another F-35B during the late afternoon sortie.

Watching Buchler’s technique in the traffic pattern over the base was key along with him getting familiarized with the jet, he said.

“It was a clean flight … he’s a very experienced aviator who took to the F-35 naturally,” said Flatley.

It takes ten flight hours, or about six to seven sorties, for a student pilot transitioning from other aircraft to become a qualified F-35 pilot. Buchler’s last time flying was a year ago, coming from a background with the Sepecat Jaguar and Eurofighter Typhoon.

Wing Commander Jon Millington, the senior UK officer at the 33rd FW, and a handful of British maintainers training within the Marine squadron were on the flight line to witness the historic event for both countries.

The UK team is fully integrated in the Marine unit and flying each other’s jets interchangeably according to the vision of VMFAT-501 commander, Lt. Col. David Berke. In the near future, Marine pilots can be trained by UK pilots.

Buchler is scheduled to complete his training sorties by early April and is excited about the way ahead for the joint strike fighter.

“The potential I see in this aircraft is all the sensors for information sharing. The F-35 has enormous potential and will be a great compliment to our Typhoons,” said the UK pilot.

His team is hopeful for the future when a team of 12 Royal Air Force and Navy maintainers and UK two pilots transition from Eglin to Edwards Air Force Base Calif., to perform operational testing on the jets in 2014.

“In 2018, the plan is for UK’s F-35 team to achieve initial operating capability in a land-based role and aboard the future HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier in 2020.”

Until then, the British element will continue to grow their skills in learning to maintain and fly the Lightning II.

Their next milestones in the program include a third UK F-35B to be delivered to Eglin this spring and the second British pilot ‘s first flight in two weeks.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/103864/first-international-student-pilot-flies-f-35#.UUt6Jb-hCDU#ixzz2ODBqRhS4

F-35B Squadron Training in Yuma

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2013-03-21 The photo below shows two F-35Bs involved in squadron training at Yuma USMC Air Station.

VMFA-121 in hover mode. March 21, 2013. Credit: Yuma Air Station


The photo of VMFA-121’s aircraft 15 (BF-19) shows it in hover mode at pad 4 in Yuma.  In the background is another F-35B on the taxiway. The second aircraft is aircraft 16 (BF-20) and it flew chase.


According to a Lockheed Martin Press release:


Maj. Richard Rusnok, an F-35B Lightning II test pilot, conducted VMFA-121’s first short landing and takeoff as well as the Corps’ first F-35B hover and vertical landing outside of a testing environment in BF-19.  VMFA-121 is the first F-35B squadron to join Marine Aircraft Group 13 which is currently composed of four AV-8B Harrier squadrons a Marine Wing support squadron and a Marine aviation logistics squadron.  Rusnok was accompanied by VMFA-121’s commanding officer, LtCol. Jeffrey Scott, flying a second F-35B as a chase aircraft. 


“The first STOVL flight for an F-35B outside of the test environment was another milestone achieved by the Marine Corps and the Green Knights today here at MCAS Yuma,” stated Scott.  “The F-35 program and specifically the F-35B have made significant progress to make this possible.” 


As the squadron expands its operations and end strength, they will continue revolutionizing expeditionary Marine air-ground combat power in all threat environments through the use of MCAS Yuma training ranges in Arizona and California.  VMFA-121 will be home to approximately 300 Marines and is expected to receive additional F-35s throughout the next 8 to 12 months, with a total of 16 aircraft scheduled to arrive by late 2013.


For our special report on the role of the Yuma incubator for aviation and MAGT change see the following:


https://www.sldinfo.com/the-ace-of-the-future-yuma-and-beyond-2/


Credit Photo: : Lockheed Martin photographer Molly Hauxwell


 




 



	


	
	









	

		
An Overview of MBDA in 2012
			

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			03/19/2013		
	

			

			
							
		

		

		
According to an MBDA press release, March 19, 2013:


MBDA, European champion and global player in the missile and missile system sector, achieved a turnover of 3 billion euros in 2012, equaling the figure recorded in 2011. 


Order intake at 2.3 billion euros as compared to 2.6 billion euros in 2011 turned out to be less satisfying despite the level of export orders which reached an unprecedented 1.4 billion euros. 


The order book, at 9.8 billion euros, continues to represent more than three years of business activity at current levels. 


2012 was a year of contrasts for MBDA. Business performance concerning our principal programs (Meteor, Aster, MdCN, etc.) was excellent, as was our responsiveness in supporting our customers, with several major milestones being achieved during the course of the year. 


However, domestic order intake was down, reflecting as it did the exceptional pressures exerted on the European economy as a whole. 


“Our operational performance well illustrates MBDA’s ability to master the risks associated with our major programs which are by and large carried out in cooperation,” commented Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA. 


“Cooperation and our ability to manage all the technological and industrial aspects are MBDA’s main attributes which allow us to contribute to European national sovereignty and to supply critical military equipment. Nonetheless, we are very aware of the constraints imposed on our domestic customers by the budgetary crisis even though their strategic and capability issues have not diminished accordingly.


This is why MBDA takes its responsibilities as head of the complex weapon sector very seriously, making all the necessary efforts in partnership with its customers. 


We are adopting a global approach regarding the whole sector and all the programs, both currently underway and those to come, incorporating an export perspective in order to create the conditions that are favorable to the launch of new programs. 


These aspects are essential if we are to maintain sovereign capabilities within Europe and if we are to increase the export attractiveness and competitiveness of our missile systems and the platforms they equip, all the while remaining committed to the safeguard of highly qualified and non-transferable industrial jobs”. 


With industrial facilities in five European countries and within the USA, in 2012 MBDA achieved a turnover of 3 billion euros with an order book of 9.8 billion euros. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.


MBDA March 2013

	


	
	









	

		
57th Wing Conducts Annual Load Crew Competition
			

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			03/17/2013		
	

			

			
							
		

		

		
03/17/2013: Airmen from the 57th Wing observe the load crew competition Jan. 11, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. 


Airmen from each Aircraft Maintenance Unit attended to support their fellow weapons load crew teams.


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  • In photo 2, Airman 1st Class Ryan Duarte inspects a CBU-89 bomb during a load crew competition Jan. 11, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The load crew competition helps promote teamwork and morale.
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  • In photo 3, Senior Airman Jonathon Gonzalez operates a weapon loader during a load crew competition Jan. 11, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Weapons load competitions are conducted quarterly to keep airmen sharp and recognize superior performers.
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  • In photo 4, Senior Airman Chris Wright and Staff Sgt. Cory Moody, 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems technicians, prepare to load an AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile during a load crew competition Jan. 11, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Airmen participate in the annual competition for title of load crew of the year.
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  • In the final photo, Airman Jonathon Deacon, 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems technician, prepares an F-15 Eagle for uploading munitions during a load crew competition Jan. 11, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The annual weapons load crew competition tests the skills of airmen from Viper, Thunder, Raptor, Falcon, Eagle, Tomahawk and Strike Aircraft Maintenance Units.
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A Day with US Navy Ships in San Diego Harbor, March 1, 2013 part 2
			

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			03/12/2013		
	

			

			
							
		

		

		
03/12/2013: In this slideshow, we highlight some of the ships in the Navy’s yards on March 1, 2013 a day before the USNS Montford Point christening.


 Seen here are various Navy ships ranging from the Carl Vinson large deck aircraft carrier, to Arleigh Burke Destroyers, to frigates, to the LCS and to the High Speed Vessel.




[slidepress gallery=’navy-ships-2013′]


Credit photos: Second Line of Defense.



	


	
	









	

		
A Day with US Navy Ships in San Diego Harbor, March 1, 2013
			

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			03/11/2013		
	

			

			
							
		

		

		
03/11/2013: In this slideshow, we highlight some of the ships in the Navy’s yards on March 1, 2013 a day before the USNS Montford Point christening. 


Seen here are various USN-USMC ships supporting the sea base and shaping the amphibious assault core competencies. 


There are views of the USS Boxer, the USS Essex, the USS Makin Island,  the USS New Orleans,  and the Richard E. Byrd T-AKE ship.


[slidepress gallery=’us-navy-ships-in-san-diego-harbor’]


 Credit Photos: Second Line of Defense