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Ukraine’s first future F-16 pilots complete basic flying training with RAF

The RAF revealed on February 24 that the first cohort of Ukrainian Air Force (UkrAF) pilots to receive basic flying training (BFT) in the UK have now completed their syllabus and are now learning to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon

T-7A Red Hawk endures month-long climatic testing at Eglin AFB

The USAF has marked a significant milestone in the operational development of its new advanced jet trainer, the T-7A Red Hawk, after a Boeing-operated test aircraft (21-7003) completed a month-long extreme weather trial inside the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin AFB, Florida, on February 23

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Thailand retires PC-9 trainers after 30 years of ops

After more than 30 years of operational service, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bid a fond farewell to its fleet of Pilatus PC-9 single-engine, tandem-seat training aircraft during a retirement ceremony at the RTAF Flying Training School at Kamphaeng Saen Air Base on February 2

Wisconsin ANG's 'Badger Air Militia' embarks on first F-35A training deployment

A number of F-35A Lightning IIs and more than 150 airmen from the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s (ANG’s) 115th Fighter Wing (FW) – which is home-based at Truax Field ANGB in Madison – completed the Weapons System Evaluation Program’s (WSEP’s) Exercise Combat Archer at Tyndall AFB, Florida, on February 23

Hungary orders four more Gripen Cs

Saab inked a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) covering an order for four more single-seat JAS 39C Gripen multi-role fighters for the Hungarian Air Force (HuAF) on February 23

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Davis-Monthan AFB bids fond farewell to first ‘Warthog’

In line with the USAF’s plan to retire its entire fleet of A-10C Thunderbolt II close air support (CAS) aircraft within the next three-to-five years, the 355th Wing (WG) has withdrawn its first ‘Warthog’ from operational use at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona, which shares an almost 50-year history with the type

New Zealand considers axing Super Seasprite helicopter fleet

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is reportedly considering a move to axe its eight-strong fleet of SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite multi-role maritime helicopters as part of a 6.5% cut in defence spending – equivalent to NZ$150m (US$91.23m) – that has been requested by the New Zealand government

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First US fighter ace since Vietnam emerges in Red Sea conflict

As the skies over the Red Sea grow more volatile in light of recent attacks on international shipping in the region from Houthi-backed militants in Yemen, Capt Earl Ehrhart V – a USMC AV-8B Harrier II pilot – has intercepted and shot down seven confirmed Houthi drones since December 2023, becoming the first American fighter ace since the end of the Vietnam War

Lockheed Martin rolls out first C-130J-30 for New Zealand

Lockheed Martin formally rolled out the first of five C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical transports for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) at its production facility in Marietta, Georgia, on February 15

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KC-135T marks 100 years of 116th ARS with heritage scheme

The 116th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) ‘Ace of Spades’ – a part of the Washington ANG’s 141st Air Refueling Wing (ARW) at Fairchild AFB – has applied a new heritage scheme to one of its KC-135T Stratotankers to commemorate the squadron’s 100th anniversary