USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Flight Ops

11/08/2012
11/08/2012: USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Flight Ops [slidepress gallery='uss-bonhomme-richard'] Credit: Amphibious Squadron 11:9/20/12 In the first photo, Marine pilot Maj. Howard Longwell from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, top, makes final preparations in the cockpit prior to takeoff in an AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron…

USS George Washington Underway in South China Sea

10/21/2012
10/17/2012: Two F/A-18Es from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 fly in formation with two Sukhoi Su-30s from the Royal Malaysian air force above the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). [slidepress gallery='uss-geore-washington'] Credit: Navy Media Content Services:10/13/12  In photo 2, the USS George Washington…

In Memory of Lt. Col. Chris Raible: CO VMA-211

09/19/2012
09/19/2012: The Taliban killed the CO of VMA-211 in Afghanistan as well as having destroyed 6 Harriers.  The Lt. Col. Was a former MAWTS instructor as well. As Ed Timperlake underscored: The Afghan Attack was the worst day for VMA-211 since Wake Island--  From VMA-211 Squadron History:  "In November 1941,…

Sorties 199 and 200 for the F-35 At Eglin AFB

08/28/2012
2012-08-28 These photos were taken on Friday August 24, 2012 during sorties number 199 and 200.  Major Mike Roundtree flew 199, and Lt. Col. Joseph Bachmann 200. We will publish interviews done with both pilots after their flights in the near future. In a press release from the 33rd Fighter…

100th F-35 Lightning II Sortie

07/14/2012
07/26/2012: 100th F-35 Lightning II Sortie 7/12/2012 Marine Lt. Col. David Berke, commanding officer for the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, taxis in from completing the 100th F-35 Lightning II sortie at the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. July 11. The 33rd FW’s 100 flights completed include 74…

A400M Progresses on Path to IOC

06/21/2012
06/21/2012: Airbus Military has successfully demonstrated the loading of NH Industries NH90 and Eurocopter EC725 helicopters onto the A400M new generation airlifter. In a series of tests at Holzdorf air base in Germany and at Toulouse, France respectively, the NH90 and EC725 were loaded onto, and unloaded from, the Grizzly…

The Advantages of More Operational Space: The Australian Tanker

04/23/2012
During the U.S. tanker competition, a consistent "missing" analytical element was an understanding that the A33o MRTT was just that a multi-capable tanker. Rather than having to carry fuel or carry other things, the tanker can do both.  Because the tanker carried its fuel load in its wings, the basic…