By Sergeant Max Bree and Corporal Mark Carter Bombing capacity of F-35As has quadrupled with the arrival of small diameter bombs introduced to No. 3 Squadron in June. The GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb, Increment 1 (SDB1), packs about 16kg of modern high explosive, guided by GPS-aided inertial navigation. Wing Commander Simon…
U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Operators assess, secure, open and secure airspace for a forward arming and refueling point mission from an MC-130J Commando II to two F-35A Lightening IIs and two F-15E Strike Eagles during Operation Rapid Forge at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, July 25, 2019. Special Tactics is…
Four U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft, deployed from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, landed at Powidz Air Base, Poland, July, 16, 2019. This is the first time that U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft have landed in Poland. With the arrival…
Australia has stood up its own F-35 training facilities for pilots and maintainers. And on July 15, 2019, the first Australian F-35 pilots training in Australia flew their jets for the first time. In an article published on July 26, 2019 and written by Andrew McLaughlin, this event was highlighted…
U.S. Air Force F-35A Lighting II, assigned to the 421st Fighter Squadron participates in Operation Rapid Forge. Rapid Forge aircraft are forward deploying to bases in the territory of NATO allies in order to enhance readiness and improve interoperability. SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, RP, GERMANY 07.16.2019 Video by Airman 1st Class…
As Europe adds new F-35 capabilities to its combat forces, there is a clear opportunity for U.S Services which fly the F-35 to work a very different approach to providing for enhanced and time urgent combat power. With a sustained engagement strategy, the USAF, USMC and the US Navy could…
F-35 pilot fitting facility is the first stop before pilots hit the flight line. These two stories, one from 2015 highlighting pilot fitting at Luke AFB and one from 2017 highlighting pilot fitting at MCAS Beaufort highlights the process. Outfitting F-35 pilots requires perfection By Staff Sgt. Staci Miller, 56th…
The RAF is in the throes of a modernization process, which involves becoming fifth generation enabled, with legacy upgrades to its Typhoons, and the return to ASW operations with regard to introducing its new P-8 as well. And recently, it was announced that the RAF would add the unique battle…
