Tuesday, April 26, 2016
US Air Force Goes All In for NATO - multiple deployments
This month the US Air Force is making a strong effort to bolster Europe's confidence and security with a series of deployments that include the fifth generation Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.On 11 April,12 F-22s were deployed to RAF Lakenheath,England.It is the largest ever deployment to Europe of the multi-role fighter aircraft,and only the second ever deployment of F-22s to the US European Command Area of Responsibility.
On 25 April,two of the Lakenheath F-22s were forward-deployed to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base,Romania,along with about 20 supporting Airmen from 95th Fighter Squadron out of Tyndall Air Force Base,Florida.The Raptors will remain at MK for a brief period of time before returning to Lakenheath,US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa explained.
Today,we deployed these aircraft,along with a KC-135 Stratotanker,here to showcase our flexible response and our range of capabilities,said Lieutenant General Timothy Ray,3rd Air Force commander.These aircraft have the ability to project air dominance quickly,at great distances,to defeat any possible threat.*
The F-22 deployments also prove that European bases and other NATO installations can host fifth generation fighters while also affording the chance for familiarisation flight training within the European theatre,according to the Air Force.*
It is important we test our infrastructure,aircraft capabilities,and the talented Airmen and allies who will host these aircraft in Europe,said General Frank Gorenc,USAFE-AFA commander.This deployment advances our airpower evolution and demonstrates our resolve and commitment to European safety and security,GEN Gorenc added.*
Earlier in the month,12 USAF Boeing F-15C Eagles arrived in Europe as part of the next Theater Security Package in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.While in theatre the F-15s and some 350 Air National Guard personnel will participate in a variety of missions,including supporting the NATO Air Surveillance mission in Iceland at Keflavik International Airport;deploying to Leeuwarden Air Base,Netherlands;and forward deploying to other locations in European NATO and other partner nations.The aircraft will remain in Europe through September.*
The deployment to Iceland is especially critical as Iceland,apart from its small Coast Gurad,has no armed forces,and Russia has made incursions into Icelandic airspace.Russia has been stepping up its North Atlantic activity in general of late.For example,in 2014,Russia staged an operational-strategic exercise of more than 100,000 troops;in 2015,an unannounced exercise with 45,000 troops,41 warships and 15 submarines displayed full combat readiness in the area.
In a further response to Russia's threatening stance,the Pentagon plans to restore Cold War hangars and infrastructure at Keflavik for basing US Navy Boeing P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft.*
Beyond Iceland,6 F-15s will be deployed to NATO partner Finland in May.*
These TSP rotations are an excellent investment given the exceptional benefit to training,operational readiness,and our alliances and partnerships,EUCOM noted,enhacing interoperability among the services and partner military training while also bolstering our capability that enables us to continue our reassurance measures.*
Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT)
On 25 April,two of the Lakenheath F-22s were forward-deployed to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base,Romania,along with about 20 supporting Airmen from 95th Fighter Squadron out of Tyndall Air Force Base,Florida.The Raptors will remain at MK for a brief period of time before returning to Lakenheath,US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa explained.
Today,we deployed these aircraft,along with a KC-135 Stratotanker,here to showcase our flexible response and our range of capabilities,said Lieutenant General Timothy Ray,3rd Air Force commander.These aircraft have the ability to project air dominance quickly,at great distances,to defeat any possible threat.*
The F-22 deployments also prove that European bases and other NATO installations can host fifth generation fighters while also affording the chance for familiarisation flight training within the European theatre,according to the Air Force.*
It is important we test our infrastructure,aircraft capabilities,and the talented Airmen and allies who will host these aircraft in Europe,said General Frank Gorenc,USAFE-AFA commander.This deployment advances our airpower evolution and demonstrates our resolve and commitment to European safety and security,GEN Gorenc added.*
Earlier in the month,12 USAF Boeing F-15C Eagles arrived in Europe as part of the next Theater Security Package in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.While in theatre the F-15s and some 350 Air National Guard personnel will participate in a variety of missions,including supporting the NATO Air Surveillance mission in Iceland at Keflavik International Airport;deploying to Leeuwarden Air Base,Netherlands;and forward deploying to other locations in European NATO and other partner nations.The aircraft will remain in Europe through September.*
The deployment to Iceland is especially critical as Iceland,apart from its small Coast Gurad,has no armed forces,and Russia has made incursions into Icelandic airspace.Russia has been stepping up its North Atlantic activity in general of late.For example,in 2014,Russia staged an operational-strategic exercise of more than 100,000 troops;in 2015,an unannounced exercise with 45,000 troops,41 warships and 15 submarines displayed full combat readiness in the area.
In a further response to Russia's threatening stance,the Pentagon plans to restore Cold War hangars and infrastructure at Keflavik for basing US Navy Boeing P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft.*
Beyond Iceland,6 F-15s will be deployed to NATO partner Finland in May.*
These TSP rotations are an excellent investment given the exceptional benefit to training,operational readiness,and our alliances and partnerships,EUCOM noted,enhacing interoperability among the services and partner military training while also bolstering our capability that enables us to continue our reassurance measures.*
Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT)
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
War On ISIL:Marines Send EA-6B Prowler to Turkey;US Steps Up Involvement in Iraq
The US Marine Corps has deployed a legacy aircraft,the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler,to Incirlik Air Base,Turkey to support electronic attack requirements in the anti-ISIL Operation Inherent Resolve,according to US European Command.The Prowlers are from Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,North Carolina.They will stay at Incirlik for operations over Syria through the end of September on a mission to protect OIR aircraft and ground forces by intercepting and jamming communications.EUCOM characterised the Prowler,in service since 1971,as a force multiplier continuing to do what it has done for 45 years:support warfighters flying in the air and fighting on the ground by giving them the electronic communications dominance to ensure a decisive win.*
MTEWS4 supports the Marine Air-Ground Task Force by conducting airborne Electronic Warfare,day or night,under all weather conditions during Expeditionary,Joint or Combined Operations.Their EA-6Bs have 5 tactical jamming pods;electronic surveillance systems;radar-seeking HARM missiles;non-kinetic fire systems that leave electronic equipment disabled but intact;and countermeasures that mask the approach of our nearby ground-attack aircraft.*
These aircraft will be retired from service in 2019 and the Squadron will be deactivated in 2017 as the Marines move to the MAGTF-EW,a multi-platform concept involving deploying the ALQ-231 Intrepid Tiger (IT-II) airborne EW pods in several Marine Corps aviation platforms such as the AV-8B Harrier II jump jets and F/A-18 Hornet combat aircraft,as well as the UH-1Y Venom helicopter;and various unmanned aerial vehicles.The Marines will also be using ground-based EW nodes;and cyber capabilities to provide commanders with an organic and persistent EW capability for every MAGTF,large or small,spokesperson Captain Sarah Burns told IHS Jane's.*
At the same time,President Barack Obama has authorised an increase in the US troop level in Iraq from 3870 to 4087.The new troops,along with 8 Apache attack helicopters,will assist Iraqi Security Forces with the Battle of Mosul,an ISIL stronghold in the north of the country.Mostly US Army Green Beret Special Operations Forces,the troops will move out of headquarters and into the brigade and battalion levels as advisors and trainers closer to the front lines;security forces to protect the advisors;and Apache maintainers.The US will also send additional HIMARS artillery rocket systems to Iraq;and 415 million dollars to assist the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.*
Northrop Grumman (NOC)
MTEWS4 supports the Marine Air-Ground Task Force by conducting airborne Electronic Warfare,day or night,under all weather conditions during Expeditionary,Joint or Combined Operations.Their EA-6Bs have 5 tactical jamming pods;electronic surveillance systems;radar-seeking HARM missiles;non-kinetic fire systems that leave electronic equipment disabled but intact;and countermeasures that mask the approach of our nearby ground-attack aircraft.*
These aircraft will be retired from service in 2019 and the Squadron will be deactivated in 2017 as the Marines move to the MAGTF-EW,a multi-platform concept involving deploying the ALQ-231 Intrepid Tiger (IT-II) airborne EW pods in several Marine Corps aviation platforms such as the AV-8B Harrier II jump jets and F/A-18 Hornet combat aircraft,as well as the UH-1Y Venom helicopter;and various unmanned aerial vehicles.The Marines will also be using ground-based EW nodes;and cyber capabilities to provide commanders with an organic and persistent EW capability for every MAGTF,large or small,spokesperson Captain Sarah Burns told IHS Jane's.*
At the same time,President Barack Obama has authorised an increase in the US troop level in Iraq from 3870 to 4087.The new troops,along with 8 Apache attack helicopters,will assist Iraqi Security Forces with the Battle of Mosul,an ISIL stronghold in the north of the country.Mostly US Army Green Beret Special Operations Forces,the troops will move out of headquarters and into the brigade and battalion levels as advisors and trainers closer to the front lines;security forces to protect the advisors;and Apache maintainers.The US will also send additional HIMARS artillery rocket systems to Iraq;and 415 million dollars to assist the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.*
Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Monday, April 18, 2016
Orion Progress:Engine Section Hardware Completed for First Flight of NASA's SLS Rocket
Welding Wonder Completes Hardware for First Flight of NASA's SLS Rocket: Flight hardware for the core stage of the world's most powerful rocket, NASA's Space Launch System, finishes final welding and is moved off the 170-foot-tall Vertical Assembly Center at the agency's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
B-52 Stratofortress Takes On Its Next Combat Role for US CENTCOM
On 9 April,at least 2 US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers landed at Al Udeid Air Base,Qatar after a long haul flight from Barksdale Air Force Base,Louisiana.According to Air Force Central Command,they were deployed in support of theatre requirements and the anti-ISIL Operation Inherent Resolve.The B-52 will provide the coalition continued precision and deliver desired airpower effects,said Lieutenant General Charles Q. Brown,Commander,US Air Forces CENTCOM and Combined Forces Air Component.As a multi-role platform,the B-52 offers diverse capabilities including delivery of the precision weapons and the flexibility and endurance needed to support the combatant commanders' priorities and strengthen the coalition team.*
The long-range B-52 can perform a variety of missions including strategic attack;close air support;air interdiction;and maritime operations.Crews will be available for missions to both Iraq and Syria.The B-52 demonstrates our continued resolve to apply persistent pressure on ISIL and defend the region in any future contingency,LTGEN Brown added.*
The deployment is the first time the B-52s have been based in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility since being based in Saudi Arabia 26 years ago during Operation Desert Storm.B-52s were last deployed in a combat role during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in May 2006.*
At a 7 March State of the Air Force briefing,Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James disclosed that the B-1B Lancer bombers had returned from their OIR mission in January.While they will be receiving much needed modernisation and maintenance,the venerable B-52 with its similar capacity and accuracy and endurance remains ready and able to meet combatant commanders' requirements.There have been recent infrastructure improvements that now allow the necessary support to deploy the B-52 in theatre,Ms.James noted.*
Indeed,the Air Force intends to keep the Boeing B-52s flying as far out as 2040,since they are seen as providing certain missions that are hard to replicate by other aircraft,primarily with regard to the range and payload aspects.The bomber's payload can include cruise missiles with both nuclear and conventional warheads,as well as Joint Direct Attack Munitions,cluster and gravity bombs.*
Boeing (BA)
The long-range B-52 can perform a variety of missions including strategic attack;close air support;air interdiction;and maritime operations.Crews will be available for missions to both Iraq and Syria.The B-52 demonstrates our continued resolve to apply persistent pressure on ISIL and defend the region in any future contingency,LTGEN Brown added.*
The deployment is the first time the B-52s have been based in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility since being based in Saudi Arabia 26 years ago during Operation Desert Storm.B-52s were last deployed in a combat role during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in May 2006.*
At a 7 March State of the Air Force briefing,Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James disclosed that the B-1B Lancer bombers had returned from their OIR mission in January.While they will be receiving much needed modernisation and maintenance,the venerable B-52 with its similar capacity and accuracy and endurance remains ready and able to meet combatant commanders' requirements.There have been recent infrastructure improvements that now allow the necessary support to deploy the B-52 in theatre,Ms.James noted.*
Indeed,the Air Force intends to keep the Boeing B-52s flying as far out as 2040,since they are seen as providing certain missions that are hard to replicate by other aircraft,primarily with regard to the range and payload aspects.The bomber's payload can include cruise missiles with both nuclear and conventional warheads,as well as Joint Direct Attack Munitions,cluster and gravity bombs.*
Boeing (BA)
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
F-16s surge during two-day drill at Misawa,Japan
F-16s surge during two-day drill at Misawa: Airmen with the 35th Fighter Wing conducted a two-day surge exercise April 4 through 5 with F-16 Fighting Falcons at Misawa Air Base, Japan.
Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Airstrike in Som
Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Airstrike in Som: In cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia, on Thursday, March 31, the U.S. military conducted an airstrike in Somalia against Hassan Ali Dhoore, a senior leader of al-Shabaab, who is part
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
US,Philippines,Australia Launch Balikatan 16
The annual Exercise Balikatan,or "Shoulder-to Shoulder,"has commenced in the Philippines.Besides the US Pacific Command,members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Australian Defence Force are participating in BK 16.*
The US is sending 55 aircraft and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System,or HIMARS,among other assets.*
Besides 6,000 troops,including elements of III Marine Expeditionay Force,the Americans are also contributing the USNS Millinocket (TEPF-3),a Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport ship,to strengthen interoperability and partner nation capabilities for the planning and execution of military operations,and advance regional security operations,according to MSC,which is commanded by a US Navy admiral,although most of its ships are crewed by civil service mariners or contract mariners.The Millinocket can carry US Army and US Marine Corps company-sized units with vehicles and tanks,as well as support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.Configured to offload at austere ports,it also has a flight deck for H-53 helicopters and can sail at 35+ knots.*
The Philippines is providing some new fighter aircraft in addition to 5,000 of its troops to BK 16;while Australia is sending 86 ADF personnel,including a 30-member Special Forces element from 2nd Commando Regiment,and an RAAF AP-3C Orion maritime control aircraft and crew with supporting maintenance personnel from 92 Wing.It is the third year of Australian participation in Exercise Balikatan.*
Wing Commander Bill Talbot,who is commanding the ADF Contingent,said the exercise provides ADF personnel with valuable opportunities such as providing support to the amphibious exercise and participating in the humanitarian assistance programme.Balikatan allows us to reaafirm our friendship with and support to the Philippines while maintaining good interoperability with US Forces assigned to US Pacific Command.Our participation reflects our close military working relationship with the Philippines,which has been reinforced in recent years with our support to disaster recovery efforts following Typhoon Haiyan.We also gifted 2 Australian heavy landing craft to the Philippines Navy last year.*
Given the number of aircraft in BK 16 and the presence of HIMARS,there is the sense that the drills are about territorial defence or the retaking of territory-hardly a surprise in light of the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea.
The US is sending 55 aircraft and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System,or HIMARS,among other assets.*
Besides 6,000 troops,including elements of III Marine Expeditionay Force,the Americans are also contributing the USNS Millinocket (TEPF-3),a Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport ship,to strengthen interoperability and partner nation capabilities for the planning and execution of military operations,and advance regional security operations,according to MSC,which is commanded by a US Navy admiral,although most of its ships are crewed by civil service mariners or contract mariners.The Millinocket can carry US Army and US Marine Corps company-sized units with vehicles and tanks,as well as support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.Configured to offload at austere ports,it also has a flight deck for H-53 helicopters and can sail at 35+ knots.*
The Philippines is providing some new fighter aircraft in addition to 5,000 of its troops to BK 16;while Australia is sending 86 ADF personnel,including a 30-member Special Forces element from 2nd Commando Regiment,and an RAAF AP-3C Orion maritime control aircraft and crew with supporting maintenance personnel from 92 Wing.It is the third year of Australian participation in Exercise Balikatan.*
Wing Commander Bill Talbot,who is commanding the ADF Contingent,said the exercise provides ADF personnel with valuable opportunities such as providing support to the amphibious exercise and participating in the humanitarian assistance programme.Balikatan allows us to reaafirm our friendship with and support to the Philippines while maintaining good interoperability with US Forces assigned to US Pacific Command.Our participation reflects our close military working relationship with the Philippines,which has been reinforced in recent years with our support to disaster recovery efforts following Typhoon Haiyan.We also gifted 2 Australian heavy landing craft to the Philippines Navy last year.*
Given the number of aircraft in BK 16 and the presence of HIMARS,there is the sense that the drills are about territorial defence or the retaking of territory-hardly a surprise in light of the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea.
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