Articles from the latest issue in digital format
Combat Aircraft Journal July 2024
July 2024 issue of Combat Aircraft Journal in page-turning format features a Royal Thai Air Force F-16B wearing special tiger tail markings to celebrate 30 years of Cope Tiger.
Spain’s Freedom Fighters of Talavera
Like many European air forces, the Spanish Air and Space Force faces training shortfalls. Patrick Roegies and Jochem Manders visit Talavera La Real, home of the mighty SF-5Ms to discover how these issues are being overcome
USAF revives Cold War designation for ‘Blue Foxes’
In a surprise move, the 354th Fighter Wing’s 18th Aggressor Squadron (AGRS) ‘Blue Foxes’ – a part of the USAF’s Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) command – was redesignated as the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) at Eielson AFB, Alaska, on February 2.
The return of B-1B ‘Lancelot’
The USAF’s 7th Bomb Wing (BW) – a component of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) – at Dyess AFB is preparing to receive a replacement for B-1B Lancer (85-0089/‘DY’), which was severely damaged after suffering a catastrophic engine fire at the Texan base in April 2022, writes Tom Kaminski.
Rare ‘Silver Dragon’ TU-2S sighted
After almost three years of extensive maintenance by the USAF’s 9th Maintenance Group in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, TU-2S Dragon Lady, (80-1078/‘BB’), graced the skies once more.
Combat Aircraft Journal June 2024
June 2024 issue of Combat Aircraft Journal in page-turning format sees Tom Kaminski delve into the 50-year history of the mighty F-16 Fighting Falcon
Arizona ANG’s snakelike KC-135R
USAF-operated KC-135R Stratotanker (59-1469) assigned to the Arizona ANG’s 161st Air Refueling Wing (ARW) ‘Copperheads’ at Goldwater ANGB – which is co-located at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona – now sports a special ‘Copperhead Snake’ livery.
First US Army C-27J begins upgrade in Italy
The first of seven US Army-operated C-27J Spartan tactical transports to undergo the C-27J 1.2+ avionics update departed Pope Army Airfield in North Carolina on February 19.
Bahrain’s first F-16C/D Block 70s on delivery
The first three F-16C/D Block 70 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters for the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) departed Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Greenville, South Carolina, on their delivery flight to Shaikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain, on March 6.
‘Bats’ complete final EC-130H sortie
The USAF’s 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron (ECS) ‘Bats’ – a part of Air Combat Command’s 55th Electronic Combat Group (ECG) – marked a major milestone in its transition to the new Gulfstream G550-based EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack (EA) aircraft on February 15, when the unit completed its final flight with the legacy EC-130H Compass Call (pictured) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
