USAF: Powerful B-2A Spirit stealth bombers during military exercises in Australia - YouTube

Deployed unannounced by Air Force Global Strike Command to give potential adversaires pause,Bomber Task Force missions emphasise the U.S. Air Force's ability to project combat power anytime,anywhere across the globe.At the same time,they enhance deterrence and defence alongside our Allies and Partners,including extended deterrence,shielding them with the U.S. nuclear umbrella.Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit (NOC),Boeing RAAF F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters (BA) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (BA)*RAAF Base Amberley is located in Queensland,Australia.

Boeing Simulates Virtual MQ-25 Open Architecture Manned-Unmannned Teaming - Avionics International

Boeing Simulates Virtual MQ-25 Open Architecture Manned-Unmannned Teaming - Avionics International: Boeing recently conducted a digital simulation of an open autonomy architecture to have manned Navy aircraft control MQ-25A Stingray unmanned carrier-based tankers, the company said on Tuesday. In this event, the company virtually demonstrated how a Northrop Grumman [NOC] E-2D Advanced Hawkeye command and control aircraft, Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, and …

Germany to Maintain Nuclear Relationship with the Pentagon

Surprising no one, the Federal Republic of Germany has decided to reaffirm its dual key nuclear deterrence relationship with the United States.The German government,led by long-time Chancellor Angela Merkel, will announce in May that it is purchasing 30 Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and 15 EA-18G Growler electronic attack/reconnaissance jets for the Luftwaffe​, German media report. The German magazine Der Spiegel reported that German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer told US Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper about the plan.The acquisition is part of a recapitalisation of the Luftwaffe.At the same time, several dozen Eurofighter Typhoon fighters will also be acquired.*

The Super Hornet is notably capable of carrying the new version of the American B61 nuclear bomb, the B61-12; while the Eurofighter is not.Thus the purchase of the Boeing planes will facilitate continuation of the current nuclear deal appoved by NATO'S Nuclear Committee.
Germany is one of five NATO Allies allowing the US to store nuclear weapons on its territory.The others are Belgium,Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.In the event of a major conflict,both the US and the Ally would have to agree to deliver a nuclear  weapon on an enemy target.*
Two other NATO Allies, France and Great Britain, maintain an independent nuclear deterrent.*
Boeing (BA)

Militants Repulse Iraqi Army-but US Navy aircraft help retake dam

Islamic State militants held their position in the Iraqi city of Tikrit against an attempt to recapature it Tuesday by the Iraqi army,Iraqi officers told the Reuters news agency.Tikrit was the hometown of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.The Iraqi forces were checked by heavy fires from mortars and machine guns south of Tikrit,and land mines and snipers west of town.*
Despite the Iraqi effort,the militants continued to patrol the streets of Tikrit,maintaining their dominance.Over the weekend,however,US Navy F/A-18 fighter jets and Predator drones carried out 35 sorties on the militants holding the Mosul Dam area north of Mosul city,striking 90 targets ranging from military vehicles and checkpoints,to firing positions.This air support for Kurdish special operations forces and Iraqi troops resulted in the recapture of the strategically vital dam from the militants,who nonetheless continue to firmly grasp Mosul itself.The dam supplies water and hydroelectric power to a vast portion of the country,including the capital Baghdad.*
Analysts believe that US air power alone cannot defeat the militants,and some US combat troops will eventually be needed to complete the task.It's a view shared by Congressman Peter King,R-NY,member of the House Homeland Security Committee.I don't think we need large amounts,he said.I think by arming the Kurds and by working with the Iraqi army,by having leadership in there,that we can do it,and also massive use of our air power-all of that together,I believe,is sufficient without any large number of ground troops at all.*
There are roughly 1,000 US troops currently serving in Iraq,but they are in support roles such as advising,security and intelligence,rather than offensive combat operations.

Navy Air Strikes Continue in Iraq;More Troops Arrive

US Navy fighter jets struck another Islamic State militant position today,taking out a mortar just to the north of Mt.Sinjar.The mortar position threatened the thousands of Yazidi people camped on the mountain for refuge.The militants want to get rid of them in their campaign of ethnic cleansing.*
This same humanitarian crisis has resulted in 129 more US military advisors being sent to Iraq.There were already 250 of them engaged in assessing,advising and assisting the Iraqi military.Many of these advisors are special operations troops.*
In addition to these US forces,there are an additional 450 providing security to the US Embassy and Baghdad International Airport.If the additional 75 US troops are sent to Mt.Sinjar to assess the number of Yazidi people there and how best to evacuate them,there would be 829 pairs of American boots on the ground.All the troops are authorised to defend themselves,but not to conduct offensive operations.*
In addition to the ground forces,the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George W. Bush(CVN 77) has provided the airpower in the current Iraqi campaign,with the exception of the drones that have also been in use.The Boeing F/A-18 Hornets or Super Hornets have been dropping GPS/laser guided bombs on militant positions,but can also deliver air-to-ground missiles.Both aircraft can fly at up to Mach 1.7 at a ceiling of 50,000 feet.
With three external fuel tanks and four 1,000 pound bombs,the Hornets have a range of 369 nautical miles;the Super Hornets have a range of 486 nautical miles.The Hornets have a wingspan of 40.4 feet and a length of 56.0 feet;the Super Hornets have a wingspan of 44.9 feet and a length of 60.3 feet.There are about 60 aircraft aboard the George H.W. Bush,manned and maintained by an air wing of 1500 personnel.*
Military cargo planes from the US,France and Great Britain have been dropping humanitarian aid to the Yazidi people,a religious minority in Northern Iraq.*
Boeing(BA)

Transit Center at Manas:Gateway To Hell Closing Down

The US Department of Defense has announced it has begun closing down the Transit Center at Manas International Airport,or TCM,in Kyrgyzstan,Central Asia.The so-called "Gateway To Hell" has long been a critical staging area for US and international forces on the way to the frontlines in Afghanistan.The air base is slated for closure by July 2014,when the agreement between the US and Kyrgyz governments on hosting TCM expires.*
The US Government appreciates the support provided by the Kyrgyz people to US forces and coalition efforts to counter the threat of terrorism and to achieve security and stability in Afghanistan and the region,and respects the decision of the Government of Kyrgyzstan to end hosting the Transit Center at Manas after more than 12 years,the DOD said.The US will continue to support the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan while working closely with Kyrgyzstan to manage the relocation effort.The US intends to continue supporting the democratic and economic development of the former Soviet Republic and developing further our bilateral relationship in the years ahead.*
TCM is operated by the US Air Force 376th Air Expeditionary Wing.Aircraft based there over the years have included F-15Es;US Marine Corps F/A-18 Super Hornets;F-16s;C-5 Galaxies;C-130s;and KC-135 tankers.Nagged by Russia and China,Kyrgyzstan has chafed at the base's presence at times,nearly shutting it down prematurely and hiking compensation.*
Most US and coalition forces will leave Afghanistan by 31 December 2014.An agreement between the US and the Afghan government to allow a limited US military presence beyond that date has been drawn up and is awaiting approval by the Loya Jirga,an Afghan assembly of elders,leaders and other prominent individuals,within a month.In the past,the Loya Jirga has gone along with President Hamid Karzai's wishes.*

Australia Moves Ahead With F-35 Program,EA-18G

The Australian government has reaffirmed its plan to purchase up to 100 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters under its long term defence strategy.Australia intends to have the advanced technology fighter in service by 2020.
Lead F-35 contractor Lockheed Martin said it was honoured by Canberra's trust and confidence.The first two of its stealthy warplanes are in production and slated for delivery in mid-2014.Lockheed will work closely with the government to support the purchase of their remaining 100 F-35 aircraft.
In contrast,Italy,Canada and Denmark are reducing their F-35 purchases.Costly delays and reworking have marred the transformative Joint Strike Fighter program to this point.More than 3,000 of the aircraft are to be produced over the life of the program,the bulk of them for the US armed forces.
Australia also said it would buy 12 Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force.They had initially planned to modify 12 of their 24 F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters with EA-18G technology;but have now decided to purchase the new Growlers instead,fearing any future delays in the F-35 program.They will keep their two dozen Super Hornets as they are.
Australia is the only other country besides the US to acquire the EA-18G,which are fully in production and qualified for immediate service.The Growlers are used to detect,identify,locate and suppress hostile emitters;the F-35s will project power over long distances from any point on the globe,integrating advanced payloads today and beyond,Lockheed says.
Australia's advanced aircraft purchases reflect growing unease in Asia over China's ongoing military buildup.
Lockheed Martin(LMT),Boeing(BA)