Aviation News – Final four 81st FS A-10s leave Spangdahlem Air Base and USAFE
Friday 17 May 2013 marked the end of an era at Spangdahlem Air Base as USAFE’s near-34 year association with A-10 Thunderbolt II drew to a close with the departure of the final four aircraft assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing’s 81st Fighter Squadron. Roel Reijne was in Germany for GAR.
Aviation News – Dambusters 70th Anniversary Commemorations
On 16 May 2013, the Royal Air Force commemorated the 70th anniversary of Operation Chastise – the raid against the dams in Germany’s industrial heartland – with a series of flypasts over some of the locations used to prepare the crews for one of the most outrageous bombing missions of World War 2, if not ever.
Aviation Feature – The 70th Anniversary of Operation Chastise – The Dambusters Raid
The Dambusters Raid over the night of 16/17 May 1943 is rightly considered to rank among the most dangerous, most daring and most ingenious operations of the entire Second World War.
Aviation News – JG-71 unveils “FIRST IN, LAST OUT” F-4F Phantom II 37+01
On Wednesday 8 May 2013, Jagdgeschwader 71 “Richthofen” invited members of the media and 71 lucky guests to join the Squadron at its Wittmund Air Base home to witness the arrival of the final specially painted Richthofen aircraft ahead of the F-4F Phantom II’s retirement from Luftwaffe service at the end of June.
Aviation Feature – High Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (HAATS) New Facility
On 26 April 2013 the Colorado Army National Guard (CO ARNG) held a ribbon cutting ceremony, for their new state-of-the-art training facility for the High Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (HAATS) in Gypsum, Colorado, located at Eagle County Airport.
Aviation Feature – Last three C-130J-30s delivered to Iraqi Air Force
Frank Grealish reports as three Iraqi Air Force C-130J-30 Hercules were delivered in early May 2013, passing through Shannon Airport, Ireland, on their way from the USA to New Al Muthana Air Base, Iraq.
Aviation News – Abingdon Air & Country Show
Just a single image from today’s Abingdon Air and Country Show – a fantastic day with some excellent flying in beautiful weather.
Aviation News – Live from Abingdon Air & Country Show
We're at Abingdon Air and Country Show today. Overcast at the moment but a few breaks appearing so hopefully it will continue to improve for this afternoon's flying display. Full review to come....
Aviation News – RSAF E-3A Sentry Arrives at Mildenhall
A surprise visitor to RAF Mildenhall on Sunday 28th April 2013 was Royal Saudi Air Force E-3A Sentry 1804.
Aviation News – 494th FS return from deployment
On Sunday 28th April 2013 F-15E Strike Eagles from the 494th Fighter Squadron returned to their home base of RAF Lakenheath.
Aviation News – Last Atlantic Airlines L-188 Electra, G-LOFC, departs Coventry for final time
For the second time in two days, aviation history was written with what was almost certainly the last flight of an aircraft type in UK skies. On Friday, 26 April, the last airworthy BAC 1-11 in Europe was delivered to the Classic Air Force in Newquay, while a day later, on Saturday, 27 April, Atlantic Airways’ final Lockheed L-188 Electra, G-LOFC, left Coventry-Baginton Airport bound for a new life in Canada.
Aviation News – Last UK BAC 1-11 flight as ZH763 arrives in Cornwall
The arrival of ZH763 at Newquay Cornwall Airport for preservation in the Classic Air Force hangar, sees the BAC 1-11’s time in UK skies draw to a close, a little under 50 years after it first flew.
Aviation News – UAE C-17A Globemaster III visits Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport
An interesting visitor to Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport near Doncaster on the 23rd April was this United Arab Emirates Air Force C-17A Globemaster III
Aviation News – 32 (The Royal) Squadron
As we reported recently, 32 (The Royal) Squadron at RAF Northolt is in the process of putting an additional two BAe 146s into service. The first of these aircraft, ZE707, has already been deployed to its operational area and the second one, ZE708, will be deploying very soon.
Aviation News – 41(R) Test & Evaluation Squadron Marked Typhoons
On 22 April 2013 at RAF Coningsby, four Typhoons lined up, and later flew as a three ship, in 41(Reserve) Squadron markings for the first time. The Typhoons will be operated by 41 (R) as part of their Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) role alongside the Tornado GR4s they are already equipped with.
Aviation News – 17(R) Squadron Says Farewell to Typhoon
Friday, 12 April saw the end of 17(R) Test & Evaluation Squadron (TES) as a Typhoon unit at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. More than a decade after its inception at BAE Warton on 1 September 2002, the Operational Evaluation Unit (OEU) for the Typhoon is moving home to 41(R)TES Squadron, whilst 17(R) moves across the pond to Edwards Air Force Base in California and a new role; bringing the F-35B Lightning II into service . Glenn Beasley reports.
Aviation News – Squadrons grounded as sequestration hits USAF
As details broke yesterday of the initial impact of sequestration on the United States Air Force (USAF), GAR provides a pictorial guide to the squadrons most deeply affected.
News – Former RAF Navigator turns Marathon Man!
Gareth Stringer chats to a friend of Global Aviation Resource who is running a long way for a very good, and Royal Air Force related, charitable cause.
Aviation News – BBMF Hurricane PZ865 in the sunshine
Seen on Facebook today – and doesn’t she look stunning!
Aviation News – RN commemorates 60 years of SAR with special colours
The Royal Navy have launched a year of commemorative events to celebrate 60 years of Search And Rescue, and Kevin Wills was at RNAS Culdrose to check out 771NAS’s new markings.
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