Tag: US Military

Largest Ever Red Flag 18-1 Air Force Combat Training Kicks Off

Brig. Gen. Christopher Short, 57th Wing commander, taxis down the runway in an F-16 Fighting Falcon after being sprayed by fire trucks during his fini flight at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 8, 2016. A fini flight is a pilot’s last flight in an aircraft before he/she leaves a squadron, a wing, or retires from the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kevin Tanenbaum)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: January 27, 2018

Aircraft incident on Nellis Air Force Base

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – At approximately 10:45 a.m. this morning, a military aircraft experienced an incident during takeoff on the Nellis Air Force Base flight line.

Emergency services are on scene.  No serious injuries are reported.

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE:

Defence can confirm an incident involving an EA-18G Growler at Nellis Air Force Base during Exercise Red Flag. Royal Australian Air Force personnel are safe and no serious injuries have been sustained. Defence is currently working with the United States Air Force to investigate and will provide an update with further details once known. See photo of Growler below.

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NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.The U.S. Air Force kicks off its largest three-week premier air-to-air combat training exercise, Red Flag 18-1, which will continue until Feb. 16, 2018.

Base officials want to remind Southern Nevada residents will notice increased military aircraft activity due to aircraft departing from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, twice-a-day to participate in training exercises on the Nevada Test and Training Range.

“We’re trying a few new and different things with Red Flag 18-1,” said Col Michael Mathes, 414th Combat Training Squadron commander. “It’s the largest Red Flag ever with the largest number of participants, highlighting the balance of training efficiency with mission effectiveness.”

While Red Flag occurs in multiple iterations annually, each one has a unique training purpose – 18-1 is no exception.

“Red Flag 18-1 primarily is a strike package focused training venue that we integrate at a command and control level in support of joint task force operations,” said Mathes. “It’s a lot of words to say that we integrate every capability we can into strike operations that are flown out of Nellis Air Force Base.”

The training offered during Red Flag has prepared armed forces for future engagements.

“Red Flag remains a great mix of heritage and future potential,” said Mathes. “We are very proud of our heritage with the way that red flag had improved survivability and readiness over the years. We look forward as we continue to grow readiness through integrated training as well as improving training efficiency.”

The exercise typically involves a variety of attack, fighter and bomber aircraft as well as participants from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force.

Courtesy Royal Air Force, UK

MAJOR ROLE FOR RAF AT WORLD’S PREMIER AIR COMBAT EXERCISE

The world’s premier air combat exercise is underway in Nevada, with the Royal Air Force (RAF) playing a major role alongside American and Australian counterparts.

Set at Nellis Air Force Base, Red Flag pits ‘Blue’ coalition forces against hostile ‘Red Force’ aggressors, mirroring real-life threats in air-to-air, air-to-ground, space and cyber warfare.

Typhoons, from 6 Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, are operating in a swing-role capacity, fighting their way into hostile airspace, launching precision strikes on ground targets and fighting their way out again.

20170127-Red Flag-1

Air Force Releases 2017 Year in Photos

 

 

Air Force Releases 2017 Year in Photos

Staff Sgt. Brenton Brown, 822nd Base Defense Squadron fire team leader, fires an M4 rifle during a mission readiness exercise, Oct. 22, 2017, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The squadron was tested on their capability to effectively operate in an austere environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Janiqua P. Robinson)

A C-130J Hercules assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Base, Port Hueneme, Calif., drops fire retardant chemicals onto a ridge line above Santa Barbara, Calif., Dec. 13, 2017, in an effort to contain the Thomas wildfire. (U.S. Air Force photo by J.M. Eddins Jr.)
Airmen from the 820th Base Defense Group low crawl through an obstacle during an Army Air Assault School readiness assessment, Dec. 7, 2017, at Camp Blanding, Fla. The AAA readiness assessment is designed to prepare Airmen for the course curriculum as well as its physical and mental stressors. During AAA, service members are taught an array of skills associated with rotary-winged aircraft, which improves the 820th BDG’s ability to swiftly deploy and defend. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Snider)
Firefighters work to put out a blaze during nighttime live-fire training, Nov. 9, 2017, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. In addition to combatting fires outside the prop aircraft, firefighters had to enter and combat the fires inside. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Janiqua P. Robinson)

 

 

 

The Air Force successfully launched the ninth Boeing-built Wideband Global SATCOM satellite aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle from Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., March 18, 2017. WGS satellites play an integral part in the strategic and tactical coordination of military operations. With this launch, WGS-9 will significantly enhance the current WGS constellation by providing increased communication capacity and coverage. (Courtesy photo by United Launch Alliance)
A traumatic brain injury patient walks through a virtual reality scenario at the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment Laboratory at National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., March 20, 2017. The patient is attached to a safety harness and walks on a treadmill on a platform that moves and rotates in conjunction with movements of the projected environment. Motion capture cameras track the patient’s movements via reflective markers that are applied to the patient and supply data on physical deficits to physical therapists. (U.S. Air Force photo by J.M. Eddins Jr.)
Tech. Sgt. Michael Christiansen, a 100th Security Forces Squadron assistant flight chief, draws back a bow and arrow March 28, 2017, at RAF Mildenhall, England. Christiansen was selected to represent U.S. Air Forces in Europe at the 2017 Department of Defense Warrior Games in Chicago where he will compete in the rifle, pistol, recurve archery and sitting volleyball events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Micaiah Anthony)
The U.S. Air Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle 4 is seen at NASA ‘s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida May 7, 2017. Managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B program is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft designed to perform risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies. (DOD photo courtesy of United Launch Alliance)

 

The two solo U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ F-16 Fighting Falcons fly in formation with #5 inverted above #6 during an air show at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., May 21, 2017. The Thunderbirds are highly experienced pilots and support personnel who act as official Air Force ambassadors to massive audiences each year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Greg L. Davis)
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a fly-over as graduates from the Air Force Academy toss their hats in the air at the conclusion of their commencement ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 24, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee)
Rosalie Philebaum squirts water at her son, Col. Jonathan Philebaum, 932nd Airlift Wing commander, during his fini flight at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., May 31, 2017. Jonathan Philebaum’s wife, JoAnn Philebaum, and their son both look on with delight as he is shocked by his mother’s water blasts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Parr)
Staff Sgt. Victoria Dames, a 35th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, carries MWD Elvis during the second annual security forces advanced combat skills assessment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 6, 2017. The Defenders Challenge provided Airmen with invaluable interaction with other security forces members by exchanging tactics and skills between those in attendance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gerald R. Willis)
A 509th Bomb Wing B-2 Spirit conducts a fly-by during the Scott Air Force Base 2017 air show and open house June 11, 2017, which celebrates the base’s 100th anniversary. The B-2 is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions and represents a major milestone in the bomber modernization program. With a crew of two pilots, this aircraft brings a massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through impenetrable defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tristin English)
Senior Airman Ryan Green, a combat broadcaster, fires at his target while Tech. Sgt. Samuel Weaver, weapons and tactics training instructor, both assigned to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, observes his hits during weapons and tactics training on the shooting range at Fort Jackson, S.C., June 22, 2017. The Airmen of the 1st Combat Camera Squadron constantly train for readiness to document combat operations, exercises and other contingencies from the ground and in the air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr.)
Lightning strikes behind a B-52H Stratofortress at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Aug. 8, 2017. In a conventional conflict, the B-52 can accomplish strategic attacks, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)
Crew chiefs from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron await a C-130J Super Hercules engine to start during Exercise Beverly Morning 17-05 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 18, 2017. The training is designed to test the ability of Airmen to survive in austere environments with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive hazards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
Paratroopers assigned to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, descend after jumping from a C-17 Globemaster III out of Joint Base Charleston, S.C., while conducting airborne training over Malemute drop zone, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 24, 2017. The Soldiers of 4/25 recently completed a series of jumps to ensure they maintain their airborne qualifications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Peña)
Senior Airman Austin Hellweg, a 129th Rescue Squadron special missions aviator, carries a dog and leads a family into an HH-60 Pavehawk for extraction to a safer location during the relief effort for Hurricane Harvey, Aug. 31, 2017, in Beaumont, Texas. The relief efforts have a conglomerate of active duty, Air National Guard and Reserve units from all branches aiding the federal government to help Texas recover from Hurricane Harvey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jordan Castelan)
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadrons, take part in an elephant walk in support of exercise Beverly Sunrise 17-07 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 16, 2017. The exercise was a simulated deployment to test the readiness of the 35th Fighter Wing, and assessed their ability to meet deployment and wartime requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Deana Heitzman)
An A-10 Thunderbolt II shoots a flare off after receiving fuel from a 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Oct. 6, 2017. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate in low ceiling and visibility conditions. The wide combat radius, and short takeoff and landing capabilities, permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Battles)

For more photos, visit AF Year in Photos:

http://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1414714/af-year-in-photos/

 

Donald Trump Agrees to Suspend Military War Games During Winter Olympics

Photo provided courtesy of the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae shows South Korean President Moon Jae-in during his telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 4, 2018. (Yonhap)

STATEMENTS & RELEASES

Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Moon Jae-In of the Republic of Korea

Issued on: January 4, 2018

President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea to discuss recent developments on the Korean Peninsula.  The two leaders agreed to continue the campaign of maximum pressure against North Korea and to not repeat mistakes of the past.  The United States and the Republic of Korea are committed to a safe and successful 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.  President Trump told President Moon that the United States will send a high-level delegation to the Olympics.  The two leaders agreed to de-conflict the Olympics and our military exercises so that United States and Republic of Korea forces can focus on ensuring the security of the Games.

From South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency:

SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Yonhap) — South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed Thursday to delay their countries’ regular joint military exercises during the Winter Olympic Games to be held here next month.

The agreement came in a telephone conversation between the two leaders, according to the South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

The tentative agreement came at a request from the South Korean leader.

“I believe it would greatly help ensure the success of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games if you could express an intention to delay joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises during the Olympics in case the North does not make any more provocations,” Moon was quoted as telling Trump.

The U.S. president agreed, saying Moon may tell North Korea that there will be no military exercises during the Olympics, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

In a press release, the White House confirmed the leaders agreed to “de-conflict the Olympics and our military exercises so that United States and Republic of Korea forces can focus on ensuring the security of the Games.”

The call between Moon and Trump came one day after the divided Koreas reopened their dialogue channel at the joint security area of Panmunjeom in a prelude to resuming government-level talks for the first time since December 2015.

In a tweet, Donald Trump took credit for renewed dialogue between North Korea and South Korea:

 

F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighters Head to Korea for Bilateral Exercise

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron, deploy during Exercise Vigilant Ace 18 at Osan Air Base, South Korea, December 3, 2017. U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos

SEOUL, Nov. 23, 2017 (Yonhap) — The United States is planning to send six F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets to a joint air force exercise in South Korea next month in what is believed to be U.S. action to put maximum pressure on North Korea, military officials in South Korea have announced. “Six F-22 fighters from the U.S. Air Force are scheduled to join the joint South Korea-U.S. air force exercise Vigilant Ace from Dec. 4-8,” the officials said.

Video courtesy Lockheed Martin.

The fighters will fly to the Korean Peninsula from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan and stay at an air base in South Korea throughout the exercise. Up to four F-35A Lightning stealth fighters are also likely to join the deployment, they said.

The U.S. fleet will reportedly engage in enemy infiltration and precision strike drills with South Korean Air Force fighter jets during the exercise.

It would mark the first time the U.S. has deployed six Raptors to Korea at once and is sure to put pressure on North Korea with the overwhelming military force by the allies.

Video courtesy Lockheed Martin.

The Raptor, an air superiority fighter, is capable of flying to key enemy facilities and launching precision attacks under the radar. Its maximum speed is about Mach 2.5

The planned deployment comes as the U.S. steps up the deployment of strategic assets to South Korea in a show of force aimed at pressuring North Korea to the maximum level. Early this month, three U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were deployed to the East Sea after powerful American fighter jets flew near North Korea in the previous months.

South Korea and the U.S. are escalating pressure, both economic and military, on North Korea in efforts to bring the country back to the table to negotiate its illegal development of nuclear weapons.

The US Pacific Air Forces Office of Public Affairs emphasized the drills are an annual event named VIGILANT ACE 18. VIGILANT ACE is a regularly scheduled flying exercise.

It will involve 12,000 U.S. personnel who will participate along with the Republic of Korea Air Force. The realistic air combat exercise is designed to enhance interoperability between U.S. and Republic of Korea forces and increase the combat effectiveness of both nations.

U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy personnel will train with air assets from the Republic of Korea, flying 230 aircraft at eight U.S. and ROK military installations. VIGILANT ACE is part of a continuous exercise program designed to enhance readiness and operational capability of U.S. and ROK forces.

Previously known as Beverly Bulldog, VIGILANT ACE 18 highlights the longstanding military partnership, commitment and enduring friendship between two nations. It is designed to ensure peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to stability in the Northeast Asia region.

Update: Missing Submarine: Impulsive Event Detected

Update–more help sent

US Navy Deploys Unmanned Submersibles in Argentine Submarine Search

Release Date: 11/19/2017 8:40:00 PM

140414-N-OV358-036
INDIAN OCEAN (April 14, 2014) Operators aboard the Australian navy vessel ADF Ocean Shield move U.S. Navy’s Bluefin-21 into position for deployment. Using side scan sonar, Bluefin will descend to a depth of between 4,000 and 4,500 meters, approximately 35 meters above the ocean floor to spend up to 16 hours at this depth collecting data. Joint Task Force 658 is supporting Operation Southern Indian Ocean, searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter D. Blair/Released)

From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) — The U.S. Navy has deployed unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) to join in the search for the Argentine navy’s submarine, A.R.A. San Juan, in South Atlantic waters.

The equipment consists of one Bluefin 12D (Deep) UUV and three Iver 580 UUVs, which are operated by the U.S. Navy’s recently-established Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Squadron 1, based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The UUVs are uniquely capable to help in the search. Both types are capable of deploying quickly and searching wide areas of the ocean using Side Scan Sonar, a system that is used to efficiently create an image of large areas of the sea floor. The Bluefin 12D is capable of conducting search operations at 3 knots (3.5 mph) at a maximum depth of almost 5,000 feet for 30 hours, while the Iver 580s can operate at a depth of 325 feet, traveling at 2.5 knots (2.8 mph) for up to 14 hours.

The U.S. government is providing rapid response capabilities, including aircraft, equipment and personnel to assist the government of Argentina in its search for the missing submarine.

In addition to the UUVs, the U.S. has deployed aircraft to assist in the search, as well as underwater equipment specifically designed for submarine search and rescue.

One Navy P-8A aircraft is already in Argentina, where it joined a NASA P-3 research aircraft currently supporting the ongoing search efforts over the submarine’s last known location.

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) directed the deployment of this equipment and personnel to Argentina to support the country’s request for international assistance aimed at locating the missing submarine and crew.

SOUTHCOM is one of the nation’s six geographically-focused unified commands with responsibility for U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

U.S. Navy to Deploy Undersea Rescue Capabilities to Argentina

Story Number: NNS171118-03Release Date: 11/18/2017 4:25:00 PM

150719-N-ZZ999-002
PACIFIC OCEAN (July 19, 2015) Sailors assigned to Undersea Rescue Command (URC) and contractors from Phoenix Holding International launch the Pressurized Rescue Module (PRM-1) Falcon, part of the submarine rescue diving and recompression system, into the water for the PRM’s first dive of the operational readiness evaluation (ORE). URC successfully completed the ORE, certifying the Navy’s deep sea submarine rescue capability. (U.S. Navy photo by Daniel Moreno/Released)

From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) — The U.S. Navy has ordered its Undersea Rescue Command (URC) based in San Diego, Calif., to deploy to Argentina, Nov. 18 to support the South American nation’s ongoing search for the Argentinean Navy submarine A.R.A. San Juan in the Southern Atlantic.

URC is deploying two independent rescue assets based on a number of factors, including the varying depth of ocean waters near South America’s southeastern coast and the differing safe operating depths of the two rescue systems.

Three U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and one U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy aircraft will transport the first rescue system, the Submarine Rescue Chamber (SRC) and underwater intervention Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) from Miramar to Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina. The four aircraft are scheduled to depart Miramar Nov. 18 and arrive in Argentina Nov. 19.

The second rescue system, the Pressurized Rescue Module (PRM) and supporting equipment will be transported via additional flights and is scheduled to arrive in Argentina early next week.

RELEASE: U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon to Support Argentina Search for Submarine

Release No: 17-013 Nov. 17, 2017

The aircraft and its 21-person crew will depart El Salvador’s Comalapa Air Base, where it was supporting counter-illicit trafficking maritime patrol operations. Once in Bahia Blanca, they will join the ongoing international search for the Argentinean Navy vessel and its crew, as requested by the government of Argentina.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Patrol Squadron Sixteen’s (VP-16) new P-8A Poseidon aircraft now displays the VP-16 “War Eagle” logo and squadron designator. The squadron is the first operational squadron to complete the safe for flight inspection on the new aircraft. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Guiliana Dunn/Released

 

The P-8A Poseidon is the Navy’s newest maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and is configured with state-of-the-art sensors and communications equipment, allowing it to support a wide range of missions over large bodies of water, including sub-surface search-and-rescue operations. It can reach an airspeed of 564 mph, has a ceiling of 41,000 feet and a range of 1,200 nautical miles with four hours on station, allowing it to loiter over search areas.

Courtesy Boeing.

 

P-8A POSEIDON MULTI-MISSION MARITIME AIRCRAFT (MMA)
Description
The P-8A Poseidon is a modified Boeing 737-800ERX, bringing together a highly reliable airframe and high-bypass turbo fan jet engine with a fully connected, state-of-the-art open architecture mission system. This combination, coupled with next-generation sensors, will dramatically improve anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities.

NASA is also assisting in the search by deploying a P-3 Orion, a maritime patrol plane operating under NASA’s Airborne Science Program.

Courtesy NASA.