Just a few years after facing off with the Iraqi Air Force on opposite sides of full-scale conflict, the US Air Force is now teaching the next generation of Iraqi Air Force pilots.
American forces have been teaching the Iraqis using 11 Iraqi-flagged T-6A Texan IIs, the same initial trainer used for the US Air Force. The goal isn’t necessarily to make new pilots; its to teach their new instructors…and quickly: Read more
As reported at the Christian Science Monitor last week, the US Armed Services ranked in the top 10 “blissful places to work,” beating out many stereotypical happy-employee organizations — even Disney.
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The military rankings: Read more
In 2008 the NFL did a short special on the inspiration of the military fly-by at the end of the pre-game National Anthem.
For those that sometimes don’t understand the impact a simple act might have, the video is moving.
The video can be seen at the NFL. For a point of comparison, previously, a conspiracy theory group has complained that US military flyovers of NASCAR are endorsing a world takeover.
Originally noted at FighterPilotUniversity.
According to former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Hugh Shelton’s new book, Without Hesitation: The Odyssey of an American Warrior, a member of then-President Bill Clinton’s administration floated the idea of allowing a U-2 to be shot down with the intent of starting a war. The plan?
what we really need in order to go in and take out Saddam is a precipitous event — something that would make us look good in the eyes of the world. Could you have one of our U-2s fly low enough — and slow enough — so as to guarantee that Saddam could shoot it down? Read more
Update: Hamilton ultimately said winning the World Series would be good, but it wouldn’t top standing in front of his Savior one day, and his relationship with Christ keeps him on the right path.
The ubiquitous nature of alcohol in the fighter pilot culture (see discussions on “alcohol and the bar” in Fighter Pilot Traditions) sometimes makes it challenging for those who choose not to drink. Some make that choice for religious reasons, others for reasons of family history, others for ‘personal’ reasons. Alcohol and its abuse has sometimes become a sensitive subject in the military; in general, when fighter pilots decline to drink, their decision is honored (though there may still be some ribbing from some in the crowd).
Texas Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton experienced a bit of that life himself recently. According to press reports, he is Read more
The Air Force Times notes that aviation mishaps in the US Air Force fell for a second straight year:
Twenty-two major accidents occurred in fiscal 2010, compared with 30 in fiscal 2009. Seven airmen died in crashes, four more than the year before. The most accidents recorded were 2,274 in 1952. The deadliest year was also 1952, when 1,214 crew members and passengers died.
Perhaps more interesting is the comparison between manned and unmanned (or remotely piloted) aircraft: Read more
FoxNews notes that star gazers have been tracking the orbit of the US Air Force’s X-37B (previously noted), and, for the second time, have lost track of it. Apparently the first disappearance was caused by a change in orbital inclination, which may reveal some of the vehicle’s capabilities.
The most recent disappearance is fueling hypotheses the spacecraft has returned to earth. If so, it would be inside the 9 months originally speculated for its duration.
A highly modified version of the T-6 training aircraft has been flown at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in a flight test project run by the Air National Guard and Reserve:
In appearance, Hawker Beechcraft AT-6Cs resemble the fighters of yesteryear with single engine propellers and shark-face nose art. They are, in actuality, one possible candidate for Air Force light attack aircraft and the latest project for Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center officials based at Tucson International Airport.
The T-6s pictured have wing-mounted tanks and what appears Read more