News

Afghanistan

New Zealand sends C-130H(NZ) and personnel to Afghanistan

23rd August 2021

The New Zealand Defence Force has deployed around 80 military personnel alongside a RNZAF-operated Lockheed C-130H(NZ) Hercules aircraft to Afghanistan to support the ongoing evacuation efforts of coalition forces, civilians and collaborators from the country

Aviano Air Base

31st FW F-16s conduct live-fire exercise in the UK

22nd August 2021

For the first time in 14 years, the USAF’s 31st Fighter Wing had the opportunity to conduct F-16C Fighting Falcon air-to-air live fire training employment within the US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa area of responsibility, between July 9-16

Eglin AFB

60th FS reactivates as second F-35A unit at Eglin AFB

22nd August 2021

The USAF officially reactivated the 60th Fighter Squadron 'Fighter Crows' at Eglin AFB, Florida, under the 33rd Fighter Wing - a component of the 19th Air Force, Air Education and Training Command - on August 20

Afghanistan

US DoD activates Civil Reserve Air Fleet to assist with Afghanistan efforts

22nd August 2021

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III announced on August 22 that he has ordered the Commander of US Transportation Command to activate Stage I of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet programme to assist with the Afghanistan evacuation

German H145Ms sent to support Afghanistan withdrawal efforts

21st August 2021

Germany has deployed two Special Forces H145M helicopters to Kabul, Afghanistan, to assist with the evacuation process. The helicopters were loaded onto a German Air Force Airbus A400M and then departed from Wunstorf Air Base, Germany, for Kabul on August 20

Aircraft Carrier

CSG21: VMFA-211 F-35Bs conduct cross-deck training with USS America

21st August 2021

Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs assigned to the USMC's VMFA-211 'Wake Island Avengers' conducted a first-of-its-kind operation on August 20, when the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters launched from the HMS Queen Elizabeth and landed aboard the USS America, to load ordnance, refuel and strike follow-on objectives

Beechcraft

USAF rolls out T-1A Jayhawks in heritage colours

20th August 2021

US Air Force/47th Flying Training Wing Beechcraft T-1A Jayhawk 91-0086 ‘XL’ was unveiled during a ceremony on August 13 in new 86th Flying Training Squadron (FTS) ‘Rio Lobos’ heritage colours at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.

Iceland

Poland deploys F-16s to Iceland for the first time

20th August 2021

As part of the NATO Icelandic Air Policing mission, the Polish Air Force has deployed multiple Lockheed Martin F-16C/D-52+ Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters to Iceland for a several-week deployment through September

Attrition Report

Two seriously injured in US Navy TH-57 Sea Ranger crash

20th August 2021

While on a routine training flight from Milton-Whiting Field Naval Air Station South Airport, Florida, a US Navy Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter crashed on August 19 in an open field just west of Naval Outlying Landing Field Santa Rosa, Florida

Czech Air Force

Saab to offer Gripen E/Fs to the Czech Air Force

20th August 2021

The Czech Air Force requirement for a new fighter solution is now 'hotting' up. As the 23-year-long Saab Gripen C/D lease is ending in 2027, a decision will have to be made before 2023 to allow for a lead-in time of about four years

COVID-19

IATA Travel Pass now accepts UK and EU Covid documents

20th August 2021

The association is urging the WHO to implement a global digital vaccine standard to help with the verification process

Ryanair

Ryanair and Wizz Air expand Swedish operations

20th August 2021

The low cost carriers are expected to introduce further services to their winter schedules

Avion Group

London Luton opens new flight training facility

20th August 2021

The new site is set to train Wizz Air pilots based at the UK hub, as well as those working from other European destinations

Attrition Report

Pilot killed in Russian MiG-29SMT crash

20th August 2021

A Russian Air Force MiG-29SMT Fulcrum-F crashed on August 18, killing the pilot. The press service of the Southern Military District said that the aircraft came down in an open area near the Ashchuluk training ground, in the Astrakhan region, during a routine training flight.