F-35B Hot Pit Refueling

09/09/2013
09/08/2013: This past May, the Marines practiced hot pit refueling at Eglin.  This is a technique to generate more combat capability through a ramp up of sortie generation rates. One might note the seamless engagement of a UK pilot in the exercise.  Hot pit refueling is a procedure usually performed…

The US Arms Exports Future: The 21st Century is not the Late 20th

09/09/2013
2013-09-09 By Robbin Laird In the oft debated and discussed arms transfer export reforms, slow is an understatement. Irrelevance to this century might be another one.  The nature of the arms business has changed so much from the late 20th century in response to global manufacturing, that debating which widgets should…

First UK Operational Flight of F-35

09/08/2013
09/08/2013: The first solo flight of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) by a UK operational pilot has taken place in the United States. [slidepress gallery='first-uk-operational-flight-of-f-35'] Credit Photos: 33rd Fighter Wing On 19 March at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler piloted the fifth-generation multi-role stealth aircraft…

South Korean Air Force Visits F-35 Eglin Facility

09/08/2013
09/08/2013: In the Fall of 2012, the South Korean Air Force visited the 33rd Fighter Wing.  In this slideshow, several photos highlight aspects of that visit. [slidepress gallery='south-korean-air-force-visits-f-35-eglin-facility']  Credit Photos: 33rd Fighter Wing

Re-Norming Air Power: The Policy Maker and the Implementor Discuss the 5th Gen Revolution

09/06/2013
2013-09-06 by Robbin Laird In a rare moment when a designer of a policy and an implementor of the policy sit down and discuss their convergent experiences, the way ahead for the re-norming of airpower was highlighted. On September 4, 2013, Secretary Wynne visited the 33rd Fighter Wing accompanied by…

Marines Showcase the F-35B in MCAS Beaufort’s Future

08/27/2013
08/26/2013: On 20 August 2013, Marine Aircraft Group 31 hosted a showcase of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC. During the event, MajGen Robert Hedelund, Second Marine Aircraft Wing Commanding General, addressed government dignitaries and the local media.  Credit:Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort- Combat…