Tag Archives: U.S. Air Force

The keeping of aviation records goes back to October 1905 when representatives from eight countries, including the U.S., met in Paris to form the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, or FAI. The FAI later became the world governing body for official aircraft—and later, spacecraft—records and to supervise sport aviation competitions. The National …

In 2016, Just two years after the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet made its combat debut in the skies above Syria The stealth fighter jet maintainers tackled a strange issue with the fleet’s stealth coating that, if left untreated, could cause the radar-evading material to peel off …

Operation Samurra was an operation by the Iraqi Air Force during the Gulf War to decisively engage USAF F-15Cs utilizing MiG-25 jets, and break the “wall” of F-15s that the Coalition had established along Iraq’s border with Iran It demonstrated the last true offensive operation of the Iraqi Air Force …

A Soviet-era S-300PT surface-to-air missile system spotted in Satellite imagery released by military enthusiast at the military range in the United States. A 30N6 fire control system and semi-trailer arrangements of 5P85 Transporter Erector Launchers (TEL) have been seen in satellite imagery of the U.S. military range. All these vehicles …

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Mach 3-strategic reconnaissance aircraft remained the world’s fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft. From 80,000 feet, it could survey 100,000 square miles of Earth’s surface per hour. The iconic Lockheed SR-71 required aircrews to wear a special silver pressure suit to ensure their safety. This proved to …

During the Korean War Deep over North Korea, a USAF pilot Robbie Risner’s wingman was hit by flak that disabled his F-86. Getting him to safety called for heroic measures. Here is a story of Robbie Risner’s heroism As told by John L. Frisbee in a beautiful article appeared in Air Force …

The United States Air Force is reactivating the 65th Aggressor Squadron (65th AGRS) at Nellis Air Force Base as part of a larger initiative to improve training for fifth-generation fighter aircraft. To support this requirement, the Air Force decided to create a fifth-generation aggressor squadron at Nellis AFB and move nine …

Former SR-71 Blackbird Pilot Colonel (Ret) James H. Shelton Jr. spent over nine six years flying the SR-71 at Beale Air Force Base. He was the fifth SR-71 crew member to reach the 900-flying hour plateau. In May 1969 a unique operational Blackbird mission occurred during his initial overseas deployment …

On Dec. 27, 1992, an Iraqi MiG-25 “Foxbat” fighter violated the no-fly zone and entered airspace south of the 33rd parallel Violating United Nations Security Council Resolution 688 (UNSCR 688) of Apr. 5, 1991, which barred fixed and rotary wing aircraft from airspace south of the 33rd parallel. As told …

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refuelling aircraft. The KC-135 was the US Air Force’s first jet-powered refuelling tanker. Legendary KC-135 entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1957; it is one of six military fixed-wing aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service. The …