RAAF F-35s Commence Flight Operations

02/14/2019
F-35A aircraft commenced scheduled flying operations at RAAF Base Williamtown during the last week of January 2019. [maxgallery id="123444"] The two aircraft from No 3 Squadron began a phase of operations designed to verify and validate the jet’s capabilities. These operations will continue for the next two years, in the…

Japanese Chief of Staff for Maritime Self Defense Force Visits the Australian Navy

02/14/2019
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN hosted Chief of Staff for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, Admiral Yutaka Murakawa in Sydney for a Counterpart Visit on the 29th January 2019. [maxgallery id="123430"] This is Admiral Murakawa’s first visit to Sydney, Australia which included wreath laying at…

RAAF C-27J in Aussie Disaster Relief

02/14/2019
On 9th February 2019, No. 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley was called in to start supporting the North Queensland flood relief effort from Mount Isa.  Two Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft and crew worked with the Australian Army's 9th Force Support Battalion to deliver urgent aircraft fuel…

F-35Bs at Sea

02/13/2019
F-35B Lightning IIs with Medium Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced) conduct flight operations carrying Guided Bomb Units from the USS Wasp (LHD 1), Philippine Sea, Feb. 3, 2019.  Naval Aviators with the detachment fly the Marine Corps' newest, most advanced multi-role fighter, the F-35B.  The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the…

Australian Military Engaged in Australian Disaster Relief: Dealing with a Once in a Lifetime Floods

02/13/2019
In an article published by AFO on February 4, 2019: Australia's military has been deployed to tackle devastating "once-in-a-century" floods that have inundated homes, schools and airports in the country's northeast, forcing hundreds to flee and bringing crocodiles onto the streets. [maxgallery id="123376"] The Australian Defence Forces delivered 70,000 sandbags,…

Essex Amphibious Ready Group and 13th MEU

02/13/2019
The Essex ARG/13th MEU is a flexible and persistent Navy-Marine Corps team deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic…

Operation Highroad

02/11/2019
A team of Australian Defence Force service men and women is helping Afghanistan to develop a professional, capable and sustainable air force. The Australians train, assist and advise their Afghan counterparts on command and control, armament and munitions, air operations, engineering, logistics and life support equipment maintenance. [maxgallery id="122620"] Their…