The Royal Australian Air Force has deployed a contingent of approximately 370 personnel to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada for Exercise Red Flag 19-1, which took place from 22 January to 15 February 2019. Up to 6 F/A-18A Hornet aircraft from Number 77 Squadron, an E-7A Wedgetail from Number…
A range of upgrades and modifications have been fitted under Plan Jericho to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130J Hercules A97-448, providing the RAAF’s Air Mobility Group with a ‘Jericho Demonstrator’ to explore how it will provide air mobility as part of a Fifth-Generation Air Force. Upgrades include the installation…
By Robbin Laird I first had the opportunity to meet Lt. General (Retired) Klaus-Peter Stieglitz, a former German Air Chief, last Fall in Berlin at the International Fighter Conference. During my visit to Germany in February 2019, where I was continuing my look at the challenge of building a 21st…
Due to the effects of the unprecedented weather event in Northern Queensland on farmers and their livestock in the region, The Australian Defence Force has been asked to provide critical lift support. Joint Task Force 646 established a forward operating base out of Cloncurry in western Queensland on 9 February…
Pilots and maintainers from the 419th Fighter Wing and 388th Fighter Wing's 4th Fighter Squadron and 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit are participating in Red Flag 19-1 at Nellis AFB, Nevada. [maxgallery id="123561"] This is wing's second Red Flag with the F-35A, America's most advanced multi-role fighter, which brings game-changing stealth,…
By Karl Müllner and Klaus-Peter Stieglitz The successor to the Tornado fighter jets is about Germany's NATO contribution to credible deterrence. The government has ruled out the most advanced weapons system F-35 - for political reasons. Two ex-generals warn of the consequences With the decision to take the fighter aircraft F-35…
The training of Afghan Tactical Air Coordinators (ATACs) by coalition forces, including Australians, is having a significant impact on Afghanistan’s battles with insurgents. [maxgallery id="122643"] In early December, the Afghan Air Force conducted its first night-time air strike inflicting heavy casualties on insurgents and destroying enemy munitions stores. Operation Highroad…
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…
