Langley F-22s Return to Flight
The Air Force Times says Langley AFB’s F-22 fleet has returned to flight after a short grounding following an oxygen-related incident last week.
The rest of the USAF F-22 fleet was not affected.
Tag Archives: Aircraft
F-15C Crashes at Nellis, Pilot Safely Ejects
The US Air Force has reported that an F-15C Eagle from Nellis AFB crashed near Alamo, NV, yesterday afternoon. The pilot ejected and had “started walking” when he was picked up by a rescue helicopter about 30 minutes later.
As usual, the AF will investigate the mishap and report on it some months from now.
Langley F-22s Grounded Again
Public reports indicate the US Air Force has grounded its F-22 Raptors again — after a pilot reported an oxygen problem, again. In this case, it appears to be a single-unit “pause” at Langley AFB, as opposed to a fleet-wide grounding.
Air Force officials are meeting on Friday to determine whether it is necessary to extend the grounding to the rest of the F-22 fleet. The pilot experienced what is known as “hypoxia,” and had to return to base.
The Raptors were previously grounded for months, though no specific cause was found for the reported oxygen issue.
Air Force UAV Crashes in New Mexico
An MQ-9 Reaper has crashed on final approach at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. The base reported that the owning squadron was a training unit for the MQ-9.
AT-6C Drops Laser Guided Bombs in Arizona
The AT-6C, a modified version of the T-6 currently used to train US Air Force and Navy pilots, has reportedly been used to deliver LGBs out of Tucson, Arizona. The Air Force Reserve Command Test Center has been testing the AT-6C, which is explicitly not an in-development weapons acquisition program.
Though light attack is not an Air Force procurement program, AATC’s task is to report its findings to senior leaders early next year to help refine requirements…
As if to prove the point, the aircraft has a civilian N-number, rather than a military designation:
There aren’t too many civilian aircraft in the world equipped to Read more
A-10 Crashes in Georgia
An A-10C Warthog crashed in Georgia Monday afternoon. The pilot ejected and was being evaluated at Moody Air Force Base’s medical facilities.
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — An Air Force A-10C pilot assigned to the 23rd Wing ejected from an aircraft during a routine mission at approximately 2:45 p.m. today in a non-residential area northeast of Berlin, Ga., in Cook County.
Update: The pilot was released with minor injuries. Public Affairs has posted pictures of the crash site.
US Declines to Sell New F-16s to Taiwan, Will Upgrade
According to the New York Times, the Obama administration has decided against allowing Taiwan to purchase new F-16C/Ds, but it will allow them to purchase the material to upgrade their existing fleet of F-16A/Bs. Some have called this “buckling to pressure from China,” which generally criticizes military support for what it considers a breakaway state.
“If the reports are true,” Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, said in a written statement on Friday, “today’s capitulation to Communist Read more
Man Jailed for Trying to Sell Jet to Iran
Marc Knapp was sentenced to 46 months in prison for trying to sell an F-5 and various F-14 parts to Iran.
Prosecutors said Knapp…was motivated by both greed and a hatred of the United States. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Hall said Knapp told an undercover agent that he was starting to hate America and wanted to “level the playing field” with Iran.
Defense attorney Christopher Koyste said the statements Knapp made were “puffery.” Read more