CNN has the “exclusive” interview with the two-man crew of the F-15E Strike Eagle that went down in Libya (for technical reasons). The pilot, Maj. Kenneth Harney, evaded and was rescued by US Marines. The backseat WSO, Capt. Tyler Stark, was ‘captured’ by ‘friendly’ Libyan rebels and repatriated.
Once in the custody of the Libyan rebels, Stark couldn’t figure out Read more
The US Air Force recently awarded a contract to provide “at least 20 A-29 Super Tucanos” to Afghanistan. The light attack aircraft was competing with the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6, a modified version of the T-6 currently used by both the USAF and US Navy. The Air Force has also been flying an AT-6 in Arizona in a “non-acquisition program.”
The deal was contracted with Sierra Nevada Corp, though the Super Tucano itself is a product of Brazil-based Read more
Recent events have made a Washington Post article from November even more interesting, as it tries to put meat on the bones of the relationship between the American public and the American military.
While the relationship has avoided the animosity of the Vietnam era, some said a feeling of social “guilt” may be responsible for the change, rather than an actual respect or support of the troops and their mission:
“We, as a nation, no longer value military heroism in ways that were entirely common in World War II,” said retired Lt. Gen. David Barno, who commanded U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Instead, praise from politicians and the public focuses largely on the depth of a service member’s suffering. Troops are recognized for the number of tours they have endured, the number of friends they have lost or Read more
In what is likely an unsurprising result, the review authority has recommended PFC Bradley Manning, accused of disseminating hundreds of thousands of classified documents, face a general court-martial.
Lt. Col. Paul Almanza’s recommendation to try Pfc. Bradley Manning on all 22 counts, including aiding the enemy, now goes Read more
Matt Pirrello, an ROTC cadet at Ohio University, lost his right leg mid-thigh in a parachuting accident at the US Air Force Academy 18 months ago.
He still wants to be a pilot, but he understands the hurdles in his way.
“If you’re in the Air Force when you’re hurt, it’s a matter of retention,” he said. “If you’re not in the Air Force, it’s a matter of whether they will accept you despite your injuries.”
Others have flown with prosthetic legs Read more
Capt. Andrew Norris, the officer overseeing the hearings on the homicide charges against Coast Guard Lt Lance Leone, has recommended the charges be dropped.
In short, since the helicopter was being piloted by Lt. Sean Krueger, who was killed in the crash, Norris said there was no way to know what his reaction would have been to any inputs by Leone. Leone’s failure or inability to influence the pilot to avoid the crash Read more
Last November Edwards Air Force Base hosted animators from Disney studios. The animators were on a research expedition involving aircraft.
When Cars 2 came out, it led with a trailer for the new 2013 Disney movie Planes.
Think the visit to Edwards was related?
The Planes trailer makes references to Read more
The unmanned K-MAX helicopter, an experimental UAV deployed to Afghanistan, has reportedly made its first successful resupply mission.
A detachment of Marines from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 moved about 3,500 pounds of food and supplies to troops at Combat Outpost Payne using an unmanned K-MAX helicopter on Dec. 17…
The concept is intended to reduce risk to both ground and helicopter-based resupply missions.
Updated: Also the top story at FoxNews.