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MAR082013

Airshows >> UK: Exclusive - Flt Lt Jamie Norris: 2013 RAF Typhoon Display Pilot Late last year Flight Lieutenant Jamie Norris was named as the 2013 Royal Air Force Typhoon Display Pilot. Gareth Stringer visited him to learn more about what displaying the Typhoon entails. Images – as credited.

MAR072013

blogGAR: Return to Phoenix - Part One: Luke AFB At one time a regular visitor to Phoenix, it’s been a long time since Paul Dunn managed to get out to Arizona. Here in the first part of a two part blog, he shares some photos from a visit to Luke AFB and Sky Harbor International Airport.

FEB152013

GAM Previews: Magnificent Meiringen Located in truly spectacular surroundings, Meiringen Air Base is home to the Swiss Air Force’s F-5E/F Tiger IIs of Fliegerstaffel 8 and the F/A-18C/D Hornets of Fliegerstaffel 11. January 2013 promised an intense period of flying, thanks in part to the World Economic Forum in Davos, and Frank Grealish simply could not resist the chance to return to one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

FEB152013

GAM Previews: Hiko Kyodotai - Japan’s Aggressor Squadron The Hiko Kyodotai (Tactical Fighter Training Squadron) is the Japan Air Self Defence Force’s dedicated aggressor squadron and operates what most of would agree are some of the best looking F-15s in the world. Steve Comber reports from Nyutabaru Air Base.

JAN222013

blogGAR: RAF Brize Norton Now that the airshow season is over and the long winter nights upon us, there’s plenty of time to catch up on some previously neglected trips out and about with the camera. Shaun Schofield reports from a fruitful October morning on the fence of RAF Brize Norton.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: Bad to the Bone The B-1B Lancer (usually referred to as the Bone, a corruption of B-One) has been in service with the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1986. GAR’s Chris Wood recently visited Dyess AFB, located near the city of Abilene in Texas, to see how it is shaping up in the current conflict in Afghanistan and to find out about upgrades to its capability.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: MASDC 1969 Established at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, in 1946, the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG - as it is currently known) is now home to more than 4,400 aircraft. Some of them are destined to never leave, their reusable parts removed to help keep other aircraft in the skies. Others may go on to serve foreign air arms, and a lucky few will even return to active US service. That is the AMARG of 2013, but what was it like at the end of the ‘60s? Lindsay Peacock once again opens up his archive to show us.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: United States Air Force Airman Heritage Museum The city of San Antonio in southern Texas is famous as the location of the Alamo, the scene of a famous 19th Century battle and symbol of Texan resistance. What is probably less well known is that it is also the home of the United States Air Force Airman Heritage Museum, which can be found inside the sprawling complex that is Lackland Air Force Base, on the western side of the city. Chris Wood recently paid a visit for GAM.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: Israel Marks 45 Years of A-4 'Ayit' Operations Only four air arms currently operate the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, these being Argentina, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Israel Air Force. Of these, the latter operates the largest number with approximately 38 examples remaining airworthy. Bob Archer reports from Hatzerim as the Israel Air Force marks 45 years of 'Ayit' operations.

DEC212012

GAM Previews: Exercise Pitch Black 2012 Once every two years, the blue skies of Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) become a hive of military aviation activity as Exercise Pitch Black takes place. Named for the dark moonless nights in Australia’s sparsely populated north when pilots flew the first exercise missions before night vision equipment was available, the exercise brings together Australian, American and various air forces from neighbouring Asian nations in an intense series of realistic combat scenarios over a period of (usually) three weeks. Mike Yeo, Base Leg Aviation News and Photography, reports for GAM.

DEC182012

blogGAR: RNAS Yeovilton With the Fleet Air Arm Museum opening the doors to its Reserve Collection for the second time this year, it would have been rude for Shaun Schofield not to make the most of a visit to his local.

NOV162012

GAM Previews: Hellenic Air Force A-7 Corsairs The sight of the Northrop Grumman (Vought) A-7 Corsair II flying over the Greek countryside has been a common one for almost four decades, but, as has now been confirmed, 2013 will see the aircraft retired. Kevin Jackson reports from Araxos Air Base on the job the ‘SLUFF’ is still performing.

NOV162012

GAM Previews: Republic's F-105 Thunderchief Gareth Stringer looks back at the life and times of the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, including memories from one Royal Air Force pilot who flew the mighty ‘Thud’, and the aircraft’s distinguished performances in the skies over Vietnam.

NOV162012

GAM Previews: Exercise Perspective 2012 Held between 17 and 29 September, Exercise Perspective 2012 brought together the Ukrainian military’s might in a series of scenarios designed to train, test and fulfil live firing currency requirements of both ground-based and airborne tactical platforms. Steve Comber reports from Belbek near Sevastapol, from where a number of MiG-29s and Su-27s operated.

OCT192012

GAM Previews: Russia Revisited In last month’s GAM Steve Coe guided you through proceedings of the Russian Air Force 100th Anniversary Airshow and Parade, held at Zhukovsky on the outskirts of Moscow. Frank Grealish / irishairpics.com was one of a small number of foreign journalists granted access to a number of the airfields hosting participating aircraft as preparations for the show geared up. This is his predominantly pictorial tale of five days in Russia.

SEP212012

GAM Previews: South African Air Force Museum Ysterplaat The South African Air Force Museum has a large collection of aircraft spilt between several sites throughout the country. Paul Dunn visits the museum at AFB Ysterplaat, in the suburbs of Cape Town.

SEP212012

GAM Previews: Russian Air Force 100th Anniversary Airshow 2012 sees the Russian Air Force celebrate its 100th anniversary. To commemorate this momentous occasion in the organisation’s history, an international airshow was held at the famous Zhukovsky Airfield on the outskirts of Moscow. Steve Coe provides a very rounded story of his visit to the show; essential reading for anybody considering visiting Russia!

SEP212012

GAM Previews: Swiss F/A-18 Hornet from the Cockpit The F/A-18 Hornet is a multirole fighter aircraft currently operated by eight nations around the globe. Gareth Stringer sat down with the current Swiss Air Force Display Pilot, Captain Ralph ‘Deasy’ Knittel, to get the low-down on displaying the aircraft.

SEP212012

GAM Previews: AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin at 25 Gareth Stringer looks back at the history, development and operational usage of the AgustaWestland AW101, with help from Richard Luck, retired Royal Air Force Wing Commander and a hugely experienced rotary wing pilot.

AUG292012

Military Aviation >> 101 Sqn Celebrates 50 Years of the VC10 On 29 June 1962, the Vickers-Armstrong VC10 flew for the first time. A little over 50 years later, Wg Cdr Kev Brookes, Officer Commanding 101 Squadron, planned to take advantage of the fact that all three variants of the aircraft remaining in Royal Air Force service were in the UK concurrently – and for the last time ahead of retirement - to launch a three aircraft formation on a tour around the UK. Karl Drage and John Higgins were present at RAF Brize Norton to witness it. Words – Karl Drage, additional imagery - Neil Dunridge.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: Lockheed's T-33 Shooting Star Lindsay Peacock's photo archive is a gift that keeps on giving, and this time around he looks back at Lockheed's first jet aircraft - the unmistakable T-33 Shooting Star - a type which, despite first flying some 64 years ago, can still be found earning its keep in very small numbers to this day.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: Israeli Air Force Museum - Hatzerim Hatzerim Air Base not only plays a hugely significant role within the Israeli Air Force of today but also has the responsibility for remembering and preserving the Israeli Air Force of yesterday.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: F-15 Eagle at 40 40 years after the F-15 Eagle’s first flight, Glenn Beasley examines the ever-evolving life of the aircraft to date and plans for the next iteration.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: Air Force Reserve Command - AFRC The Air Force Reserve Command supplies people and equipment to support the USAF on operations worldwide, whilst at the same time maintaining a strategic reserve force that can be called upon in times of national emergency. Paul Dunn visits the 79th Air Refueling Squadron at Travis AFB, California, to learn more about the organisation and role of the reserve forces.

AUG142012

Military Aviation >> USA: Red Flag 12-4 - The Colombian Connection The most recent exercise at Nellis AFB was Red Flag 12-4, which took place from 16-27th of July, in the intense heat of the Nevada desert. Paul Filmer reports from Nellis AFB on the first visit from the Colombian Air Force.

JUL202012

GAM Previews: Fairchild Republic's A-10 Thunderbolt II at 40 Forty years ago, the prototype of the A-10 made its first flight. Despite several attempts to get rid of it, the A-10 still provides an unbeatable capability, and GAM traveled to Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ, to see how new pilots are trained on the aircraft and the operations of a front line squadron. Rob Edgcumbe reports.

JUL202012

GAM Previews: Exercise Anatolian Eagle 12/2 With some of the most sophisticated facilities in the world, the beautiful Konya Air Base in Turkey is home to the Anatolian Eagle Training Center, from where a series of exercises is flown each year with the specific aim of providing realistic training for Turkey’s armed forces. The second of such exercises in 2012 also included significant foreign involvement as Kev Daws reports for Global Aviation Magazine.

JUN152012

GAM Previews: Issue 9 - July 2012 With a new issue of Global Aviation Magazine now available, let's take a look at what's inside.....

JUN082012

Airshows >> USA: US Army Parachute Team - The Golden Knights The Golden Knights parachute display team undertakes demonstrations throughout the year on behalf of the US Army. Rob Edgcumbe caught up with them at Janesville, Wisconsin, and rode along on one of their flights for GAR.

MAY032012

Military Aviation >> Exercise Olympic Guardian at RAF Northolt Yesterday four Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons arrived at RAF Northolt to signify the start of Exercise Olympic Guardian, an eight-day exercise designed to bring together and test the various agencies providing security during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Karl Drage reports for GAR.

MAY012012

Exercise Frisian Flag 2012 Exercise Frisian Flag 2012 was held at Leeuwarden Air Base in The Netherlands from April 16th to April 27th. Mike Kruiper guest reports from the biggest NATO exercise in Europe, with almost fifty participating aircraft. All images courtesy of Mike Kruiper.

APR302012

Military Aviation >> 3 (Fighter) Squadron 100th Anniversary Commemorative Markings No 3 (Fighter) Squadron has today released photographs of one of its Typhoon aircraft in a commemorative anniversary paint scheme.

MAR092012

blogGAR: Wales, Heathrow and RAF Marham – February Review From the arctic conditions of the Welsh valleys to the balmy rolling fields of Norfolk, February brought three days out, combining civilian and military action. Glenn reviews his travels in the month of February.

MAR072012

GAM Previews: Mildenhall's C-135s - Then and Now RAF Mildenhall’s association with Boeing’s venerable ‘135 is a long one, spanning some five decades, and here Bob Archer takes a look back at some of the aircraft that have been found at the Suffolk airfield through the years. All images Bob Archer or The Bob Archer Collection.

MAR052012

blogGAR: Operation ELLAMY Mission Marks at RAF Marham When Glenn first mentioned a day out at RAF Marham, Karl wasn't convinced by the weather forecast but ultimately succumbed and ended up having a good day Operation ELLAMY mission mark hunting in Norfolk.

FEB162012

Military Aviation >> Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) Flying Course 2012-1 February 10th saw the first Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) Flying Course of 2012 wrap up at Los Llanos Air Base, near Albacete in Spain. Two days earlier the base had opened its gates to a group of aviation photographers, to give them an opportunity to witness the TLP's activities. Chris Wood reports for GAR from a typically sunny, but unusually cold, Spain.

FEB152012

Military Aviation >> Twenty Years of Eagles at RAF Lakenheath On the 21st February 1992 a new era of aircraft operations commenced at RAF Lakenheath with the arrival of the first F-15E Strike Eagle. It’s hard to believe that the F-111Fs of the 48th Fighter Wing left these shores 20 years ago, as David Mackey guest reports for Global Aviation Resource. Images as credited.

FEB142012

Airshows >> UK: Exclusive - 2012 RAF Tucano Display Scheme Revealed Global Aviation Resource is delighted to reveal the 2012 Royal Air Force Tucano Display scheme and was the first media outlet to speak with this year's display pilot, Flt Lt Jon Bond. Gareth Stringer reports with imagery courtesy of the Team itself.

FEB132012

blogGAR: Runway 08 Ops at RAF Brize Norton With Issue 5 of Global Aviation Magazine all but put to bed, a perfect forecast and the knowledge that GAR's own John Higgins was planning a day at RAF Brize Norton, Karl couldn't resist and had to join him.

FEB012012

GAM Previews: USS George H.W. Bush Following on from GAR’s visit to “The Bush” on its Liberty port visit to Portsmouth, UK, we were privileged to accept an invitation to join the carrier at sea. Paul Dopson reports from the United States Navy’s 6th Fleet area of operations, somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea.

FEB012012

GAM Previews: WIWOL - When I Was On Lightings The English Electric Lightning. A true classic from the Cold War, a supersonic interceptor that remained in Royal Air Force service from 1959 until 1988 and is still remembered fondly by all those who saw it. But what was the aircraft like to fly? Gareth Stringer travelled to the RAF Museum at Cosford to meet someone who would be able to tell him exactly that.

JAN042012

GAM Previews: The Lockheed S-3 Viking at 40 January 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the first flight of the Lockheed S-3 Viking. Originally conceived as a carrier-borne anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, in later years it assumed several other specialised roles and had a surprisingly long service career; even today the Viking remains in service, albeit in very small numbers. Paul Dunn finds out more.

JAN042012

GAM Previews: High-Altitude ARNG Training Site - HAATS Paul Filmer, a Colorado resident, travels into the mountains near the popular ski resort of Vail to find out about the Army National Guard’s training camp designed to teach rotary wing pilots the secrets of operating at high altitudes and in difficult surroundings. This is HAATS - High-Altitude ARNG Aviation Training Site.

JAN042012

GAM Previews: The 100th ARW and Operation Unified Protector Between March 16 and October 31 2011, the United States Air Force’s 100th Air Refueling Wing from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, UK, provided KC-135 tanker support for Operation Unified Protector - the name given to a NATO operation enforcing UN Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973, which authorised the use of all necessary means to protect those civilians in Libya under the threat of attack from Colonel Gaddafi’s forces. Glenn Beasley was given the chance to join them.

DEC222011

Military Aviation >> USA: Red Flag 11-3: It's Not Always About Being On Base Back in February, Red Flag 11-3 presented an opportunity to catch some of the participating aircraft at low-level. With RAF Tornado GR.4s and USAF A-10s, both well known for getting down among the weeds, and no really exotic visitors, this would provide a good opportunity for off-base shooting. Paul Filmer reports from the wilderness of Nevada.

DEC092011

Aviation News: 29(R) Squadron Unveils English Electric Lighting Gate Guard 'XP765' 29 (Reserve) Squadron today rolled out English Electric Lightning F.6 XS897 in full 29 Squadron markings during a private ceremony at the Squadron's RAF Coningsby home station. The aircraft has been modified and painted to represent Lightning F.3 XP765 that served with 29 during the 1960s and '70s.

DEC072011

GAM Previews: The 250th Presidential Airlift Wing, Philippine Air Force There may not be a large number of military or government aircraft based at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila but what is there is pretty interesting. Following on from his article on the airport’s civilian operators for Global Aviation Resource, Paul Filmer reports from the Philippines on the other Ninoy Aquino residents.

NOV252011

Military Aviation: IV Squadron Reborn at RAF Valley Yesterday RAF Valley was the stage for an important moment in RAF history. 19(Reserve) Squadron, the unit formerly responsible for fast jet tactical weapons training, was disbanded and, in its place, IV(Reserve) Squadron reformed to become the Hawk T2 unit and take the UK’s fast jet training forward into the future. To add to this occasion, 208(Reserve) Squadron, the unit responsible for Hawk T1 fast jet flying training, received a new Royal Standard. All images - Corporal Mark Dixon - Royal Air Force.

NOV042011

Aviation News: Deputy Prime Minister Visits RAF Waddington to Pay Tribute to UK Armed Forces’ Role in NATO’s Campaign Over Libya With NATO declaring the end of sanctioned military operations over Libya, the Royal Air Force, Army Air Corps and Royal Navy air assets are now home from what the UK titled Operation ELLAMY. Gareth Stringer was at RAF Waddington as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg dropped by to welcome some of them home. Images – Karl Drage.

SEP152011

Military Aviation >> Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose - Then & Now GAR staffer and former Royal Navy Sea King pilot Chris Wood recently paid a nostalgic visit to his old stomping ground of RNAS Culdrose in west Cornwall, 25 year after he left. Here he describes how things have changed.

AUG212011

Airshows >> UK: Flt Lt Jon Egging – Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team Global Aviation Resource offers a few words following the tragic death of the Red Arrows' Flt Lt Jon Egging.

AUG022011

Military Aviation >> Westland Lynx 40th Anniversary This year sees the Westland Lynx's 40th birthday and Gareth Stringer takes a look at the history of this most versatile of designs, with the additional help of two men who fly it. Images as credited.

JUL182011

Military Aviation >> US Navy: A-3 Skywarrior Bu144825 (N878RS) Delivered to NAS Whidbey Island The US Navy operated the A-3 Skywarrior for 35 years between 1956 and 1991, but the type has actually been flown for a longer period of time in private sector hands. Hughes Aeronautical Operations, which would later become Raytheon Flight Test Operations, operated the 'Whale' from 1963 until very recently, an impressive 48 years. Paul Filmer reports from NAS Whidbey Island, WA, on the delivery of A-3 Bu144825 (N878RS) for preservation.

JUL112011

Military Aviation >> Royal Air Force: Hawk T.2 Gathers Pace at RAF Valley After more than three decades as the RAF's sole advanced jet trainer, the Hawk T.1 has now been joined on the flightline at RAF Valley by its younger and much more modern incarnation, the Hawk T.2. Gareth Stringer reports with images as credited.

JUN282011

Military Aviation >> USA: Colorado Army National Guard (CO ARNG) LUH-72A Lakota Transition The Colorado Army National Guard's D Company 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation (D/3-140 GSAB) has recently received four LUH-72A Lakotas (EC145) to replace its OH-58 Kiowas. Paul Filmer reports from Colorado as he takes a look at these new helicopters.

JUN212011

Military Aviation >> USA: Vertical Transition - Marine Aircraft Group 16 In these days of limited military spending and austerity, new aircraft types don’t exactly enter service on a regular basis, so the appearance of a new type is always interesting. It is almost unheard of, however, for that new type to be of an entirely new form of aircraft, but that is exactly what the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey represents. Paul Dunn visits the United States Marine Corps at MCAS Miramar to see firsthand the incredible MV-22B and learn more about Marine Air Group 16.

JUN172011

Military Aviation >> Royal Air Force: Flying The Sepecat Jaguar - 'In Memory of a Jag Mate' It's nearly four years since the Royal Air Force retired the Sepecat Jaguar and with it one of our most capable and deployable ground attack and reconnaissance platforms. Gareth Stringer speaks to two of the men who flew it while Wing Commander John Sullivan pays tribute to the late Group Captain Tom Barrett. Images as credited.

JUN142011

Military Aviation >> USA: The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) is the aviation combat element of I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) and takes command of most of the USMC aviation units on the west coast of the US. Ahead of a series of detailed articles on the component groups of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Paul Dunn provides an introduction to the unit and its place in US Marine Corps tactics and planning.

JUN032011

Military Aviation >> US Navy: CVN-77 USS George H. W. Bush The entry into UK waters of a United States Navy (USN) aircraft carrier always causes something of a stir and the first visit of CVN-77, the USS George H.W. Bush, was no exception as it rested in Stokes Bay, Portsmouth between May 27th and May 31st after its participation in Exercise Saxon Warrior 2011. Glenn Beasley went aboard to find out more.

JUN022011

Aviation Events >> RAF Northolt Night Photoshoot IX The backend of May, with its long, drawn out days might not seem the most obvious time to hold a night photoshoot, but that didn't stop Phil Dawe and the RAF station of Northolt from doing just that. Chris Wood was at Night Photoshoot IX to report for GAR.

MAY252011

Military Aviation >> Europe > Exercises: NATO Tiger Meet 2011 It's that time of year again, when garishly painted military jets gather to strut their stuff in the sky whilst their crews adorn their uniforms with anything with black and gold stripes. Yes, it's NATO Tiger Meet time, and Chris Wood (a former 'Tiger' himself, having served with the Royal Navy's Flying Tigers, 814 NAS) reports from Cambrai on the 2011 activities.

MAY242011

Airshows >> UK: Army Air Corps Apache Display 2011 This year sees the Army Air Corps AH.1 Apache Longbow's return to the airshow circuit, albeit for, at the time of writing, just four events. Gareth Stringer reports from Wattisham where GAR was given a chance to meet the display team and see the routine - at very close quarters. Images as credited.

MAY132011

Airshows >> UK: Flt Lt Jules Fleming - 2011 Royal Air Force Hawk Display With another airshow season finally underway, GAR travelled to RAF Valley to meet Flt Lt Jules Fleming, a QFI with 208(R) Squadron and the 2011 Royal Air Force Hawk Display Pilot. Gareth Stringer reports with images as credited.

MAY102011

Military Aviation >> Royal Air Force > XIII Squadron Ceases Flying Friday, May 6th 2011, saw XIII Squadron fly the Tornado GR.4 for the last time. While tinged with sadness, the overall tone of the message coming out of RAF Marham was that this was more of a restructuring process than an out and out cut. Karl Drage was there to report for GAR.

APR282011

Airshows >> UK: Royal Air Force's 22 Gp Pilots Get the Green Light to Display Yesterday was a successful one all round for the Royal Air Force's 22 Gp airshow pilots as the Tutor, Hawk and Tucano display pilots received their clearance to display in public. Joining them was the King Air solo display which returns for a fourth year on the circuit as Gareth Stringer reports. Images as credited.

APR262011

Military Aviation >> USA > Exercises: National Disaster Medical System Exercise The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) is a federally coordinated system which establishes a single integrated medial response capability for assisting local and state authorities in dealing with major peacetime disasters. Paul Filmer reports from Colorado on the latest NDMS Exercise.

APR122011

Military Aviation >> US Navy > Grumman F-14 Tomcat: Landing...and then stopping Grumman's F-14 Tomcat was one of the most iconic of jet fighters, made even more famous in the mid 1980s by the movie 'Top Gun'. A small number of British pilots got their hands on it, with Royal Navy pilots going to NAS Miramar in California and Royal Air Force pilots going to NAS Oceana in Virginia. Lt Cdr Clive Baylis RN was one of them, and here he describes his experiences flying Grumman's finest.

APR122011

Military Aviation >> Royal Air Force > Tornado F.3: Airshow Performer The Tornado ADV thrilled airshow audiences for precisely thirty years and no retirement series would have been complete without a look at this secondary, but high profile, role for the jet. Gareth Stringer takes a look back at the aircraft's air display history and talks to one man lucky enough to have been part of it. Images as credited.

APR052011

Military Aviation >> Royal Air Force > Tornado F.3: A Navigator's Perspective Twenty years ago David Chadderton was fresh from Navigator training in the Royal Air Force and found himself posted to fly the Tornado F.3. It was the start of a long relationship with the jet and as part of GAR's series to commemorate the aircraft's retirement David sat down with Gareth Stringer to talk through his time on the type. Images as credited.

MAR292011

Military Aviation >> Royal Air Force > Tornado F.3: Tremblers' Farewell - the end of the Tornado F.3 The Tornado F.3 defended the skies of the UK for some 25 years. 111(F) Squadron, the last remaining operator of the type, disbanded on the 22nd March, signalling the end of the Tornado F.3's service with the Royal Air Force. Gareth Stringer looks back at the history while Glenn Beasley reports from RAF Leuchars on the end of an era.

MAR222011

Military Aviation >> Royal Navy > Jetstream: End of the line for Royal Navy's 'Flying Classroom' After almost 38 years the venerable Jetstream has finally left UK military service. Operated by both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, it was 750 NAS which was the final user of the type and, on March 14th, the Squadron flew its last sortie as a Jetstream operator. Karl Drage looks back at the aircraft's history, with imagery as credited.

MAR222011

Military Aviation >> US Air Force > T-38 Talon: Northrop's White Rocket - Fifty Years of Training Excellence On the 17th March 1961, the USAF accepted the first examples of a new advanced jet trainer into service. Fifty years on, the type is still giving sterling service with little sign of a replacement on the horizon. Paul Dunn pays tribute to the Northrop T-38 Talon.

MAR222011

Military Aviation >> USA > Exercises: Red Flag 11-2, Nellis AFB, NV The first Red Flag of fiscal year 2011 was RF11-2, which ended up being quite light on aircraft numbers for the traditional two-week exercise. Paul Filmer reports from Nellis AFB on the latest Red Flag.

MAR152011

Military Aviation >> JASDF > Hiko Kyodotai: The JASDF's Aggressor Squadron The eruption of Mount Shinmoedake has forced the JASDF Aggressor squadron to temporarily relocate its uniquely painted Eagles from its home base of Nyutabaru. Paul Dunn reports from Hyakuri Airbase.

MAR082011

Military Aviation >> Royal Air Force: RAF Coningsby Celebrates 70 years of Operational Flying Last Tuesday, 1st March, RAF Coningsby celebrated 70 years of operational flying. It's a regular haunt for GAR as Gareth Stringer explains, with additional information courtesy of the Station itself. Images as credited.

MAR012011

Aviation News >> USAF > Boeing wins USAF KC-X tanker contract - again On February 24th 2011 the United States Department of Defence (DoD) announced that Boeing had won the advanced aerial refuelling tanker contest, KC-X, for 179 tanker aircraft. Paul Dopson reports on the embattled long running saga to replace the ageing KC-135 Stratotanker fleet.

MAR012011

Military Aviation >> History > Gulf War 20th: Tornado F.3 Continuing our series to mark the 20th anniversary of the Gulf War, we are delighted to welcome former RAF fast jet pilot, author and photographer Ian Black. Ian was flying the Tornado F.3 when Iraq invaded Kuwait and here writes exclusively for GAR on what followed for him and his colleagues. Images as credited.

FEB262011

Aviation News >> Military > First Production Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Flies The first production Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II made its first flight yesterday, providing some welcome good news for a troubled project. Paul Dunn was there for GAR.

FEB222011

Military Aviation >> History > Gulf War 20th: Buccaneer, a pilot’s eye view. Investigating the role of the Buccaneer in Gulf War 1, Gareth Stringer talks to Wg Cdr John Sullivan who, on his first front line tour as a Royal Air Force pilot, flew combat sorties from Muharraq Air Base in Bahrain. Images as credited.

NOV242009

Military Aviation >> Royal Navy: Maintaining High Standards – Lt Cdr Matt Whitfield and NFSF(FW) Global Aviation Resource was privileged to visit the Naval Flying Standards Flight (Fixed Wing) at RNAS Yeovilton; a visit which allowed us to look closely at the unit’s work and get a progress update from the boss – Lt Cdr Matt Whitfield. Words – Gareth Stringer / Pictures – as credited.