http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/airforce/ en-us Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:10:19 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416509/posts A new-generation Tu strategic bomber will be developed by 2017, Russian aircraft maker Tupolev said on Wednesday. Company President Alexander Bobryshev told Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin the research on the new aircraft project should be completed by 2012, while production-line assembly should start in 2020 to 2025. However, Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev, commander of Russia's strategic aviation said on Tuesday a new strategic bomber, which will use stealth technology, is expected to enter service in 2025-2030 He said the stealth technology will make "the new aircraft difficult to detect by radar, although it is impossible to make airplanes of... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416509/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:10:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414630/posts MERRY CHRISTMAS! To all the men and women who are sitting down in their capsules on Alert, I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS! This Christmas I give thanks to our Lord for all of you. For the ones who pulled Alerts before me, for the ones who pulled Alerts with me, and for all of you who have taken up the challenge after my time was done, I thank you all. Thank you for keeping our Country, me, and my family safe and free. Thank you for doing a thankless job that most Americans know nothing about, while putting up... Vanity (Sorry) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414630/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:42:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414339/posts The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East made an observation that the Gulf Arab nations wished he hadn't. General David Petraeus noted that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force, and it's 80 F-16E fighters could probably quickly destroy the entire Iranian Air Force. The Gulf Arabs would prefer the Iranians to believe their own propaganda, that the Iranian military is much more powerful than it actually is. The Iranian Air Force is mainly a mighty force only in terms of Iranian propaganda. The Gulf Arabs don't want the Iranians to make a strong effort to upgrade their... Strategy Page http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414339/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:16:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412105/posts Speaking during his weekly television and radio program, Mr Chavez said the aircraft overflew a Venezuelan military base in the western state of Zulia after taking off from neighbouring Columbia. He did not elaborate, but suggested the plane was being used for espionage. "These are the Yankees. They are entering Venezuela," he said. "I've ordered them to be shot down," Mr Chavez said of the aircraft. "We cannot permit this." The Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412105/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:14:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409305/posts Russian Military Aircrew Numbers Tumble Alexey Komarov/Moscow Douglas Barrie/London Aircrew numbers in the Russian air force are to be cut by 40% as part of a program that will see the service adopt a revised operational-command structure by year-end. Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, the air force chief, unveiled the far-reaching plan last summer with the aim of transforming his service into an agile force capable of dealing with more diverse types of threats. Zelin says the new structure will consist of operational commands, air force bases and aerospace defense brigades (to counter aircraft and missile threats). Existing air force and... Aviation Week and Space Technology http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409305/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:24:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408202/posts While the Democrats appease Senator Lieberman, they still have to worry about other recalcitrant Democrats including Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson. Though Lieberman has been out front in the fight against the public option and the Medicare buy-in, Nelson was critical of both. Now that those provisions appear to have been stripped from the bill, Lieberman may get on board, but Nelson's demand that taxpayer money not be used to fund abortion has still not been met. According to a Senate aide, the White House is now threatening to put Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base on the BRAC list if Nelson... weeklystandard.com/weblogs http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408202/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:26:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409170/posts Politics: If the Democrats' stitched-together Frankenstein monster of health care reform gets the 60 votes to get through the Senate, it will have been done through an assortment of bribes and brass knuckles. (snip) Sen. Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat, has also been critical of the buy-in and public option, but he has an additional issue about whatever comes out of the Senate not involving public funding of abortion in any way. Michael Goldfarb on the Weekly Standard blog quotes a Senate aide as saying the White House is now threatening to put Nebraska's Offutt Air Force Base on the... Investor's Business daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409170/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:29:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409076/posts AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.—The Air Force Academy says religious tolerance has improved dramatically since allegations five years ago that evangelical Christians harassed cadets who didn't share their faith. Even the school's most vocal critic agrees. "This is the first time we feel positive about things there," said Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which battled the academy in court over claims that evangelicals at the school were imposing their views on others. The academy superintendent, Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Gould, says the improvements are the result of a topdown campaign to foster respect and a commitment... The Denver Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409076/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:20:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407178/posts by Airman 1st Class Jessica Green 129th Rescue Wing Public Affairs 12/11/2009 - MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. (AFNS) -- An Air National Guard member from the 129th Rescue Squadron here recently returned home from her deployment to Afghanistan after being wounded by enemy forces while rescuing three injured American Soldiers July 29. Capt. Mary Jennings, an HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot, launched her rescue helicopter, call sign Pedro 15, from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, en route to a convoy that had fallen under attack after a vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. "We couldn't see any enemy fire as we arrived on... US Air Force Official Website http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407178/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:50:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406490/posts The giant gold and silver satellite glittered against the black sky as space shuttle Atlantis closed in on it from below. Commander Hoot Gibson and pilot Guy Gardner flew the approach, while mission specialist Mike Mullane, at the other end of the flight deck, readied the shuttle’s robot arm for a capture. Downstairs in the airlock, mission specialists Jerry Ross and Bill Shepherd waited in their spacesuits for Gibson’s order to go outside and attempt a rescue. The mission of STS-27 had been to deploy the first in a series of new spy satellites that used radar to observe ground... Air & Space Magazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406490/posts#comment Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:28:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406485/posts The US Air Force Research Laboratory's X-51A WaveRider scramjet engine demonstrator completed its first captive-carry flight under the wing of its B-52H mothership from Edwards AFB on Dec. 9. The first free flight is planned for mid-February. The B-52 climbed to the planned launch altitude of 50,000ft during a 1.4h flight that checked out systems and telemetry. The next flight, planned for mid-January, will be a full dress-rehearsal for the first of four planned X-51A hypersonic test flights. The Boeing-built X-51A will be released at 50,000ft over the Pacific and accelerated to Mach 4.5 by a solid rocket booster. The... Aviation Week and Space Technology http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406485/posts#comment Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:01:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404363/posts U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz says that the service’s forthcoming budget request, though pinched by the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will likely include money for a new bomber and a new space surveillance system. The on-again-off-again Next-Generation Bomber (or NGB, also called Long-Range Strike), could re-emerge with the Pentagon’s fiscal 2011 spending request going to Capitol Hill in February, Schwartz said during a luncheon speech last week at the Credit Suisse/Aviation Week Aerospace & Defense Finance conference here. Defense Secretary Robert Gates put a hold on the NGB program last spring in... Aviation Week and Space Technology http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404363/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:29:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401743/posts It's been a long wait—in some ways, more than 50 years—but in April 2010, the U.S. Air Force is scheduled to launch an Atlas V booster from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying the newest U.S. spacecraft, the unmanned X-37, to orbit. The X-37 embodies the Air Force's desire for an operational spaceplane, a wish that dates to the 1950s, the era of the rocket-powered X-15 and X-20. In other ways, though, the X-37 will be picking up where another U.S. spaceplane, NASA's space shuttle, leaves off. Kompas.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401743/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 00:42:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2400121/posts Miss. Survivor Of Vietnam's Hanoi Hilton Dies At 82 Pitchford Survived 7 Years In Prison Camp UPDATED: 3:48 pm CST December 3, 2009 JACKSON, Miss. -- Retired Air Force Col. Jack Pitchford, a fighter pilot from Mississippi who survived seven years in the Vietnamese prison camp known as the Hanoi Hilton, has died. He was 82. The Natchez, Miss., native was shot down in 1965 and taken to the Hoa Lo prison, a hellish place where Americans, including famous veterans like U.S. Sen. John McCain, were tortured. Pitchford was released in 1973. His brother said Pitchford died Wednesday after battling... WAPT News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2400121/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 13:43:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399939/posts What's wrong with IAF's Sukhoi? New Delhi December 4, 2009 Even if temporary, the grounding of Sukhoi- 30MKI fighters of the Indian Air Force ( IAF) has opened up a huge gap in the country's air defence system. Our Sukhois are currently located in the following manner - two squadrons in Pune, Maharashtra, two in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, and one in Tezpur, Assam. A sixth squadron was forming up in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and it was from this squadron that the aircraft that crashed this week belonged. Each squadron has roughly 20 aircraft and the total India has is about 105... India Today http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399939/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 04:38:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2399586/posts This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during November 2009. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 30 November 2009. The September 2009 Quarterly Report to Congress was released on 13 November and key items concerning the ISF were addressed in a separate post on 17 November 2009. It will not be addressed in this update. Highlights in this update include: Indications that Iraq is about to receive its first M1126 Stryker armored personnel carriers and is starting to redistribute the Russian APCs that the Strykers are to replace.... Montrose Toast http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2399586/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 20:13:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399517/posts When President Obama spoke to troops at Alaska's Elmendorf Air Force Base last month, the unit there parked a shiny new F-22 fighter plane in the hanger. But according to multiple sources, White House aides demanded the plane be changed to an older F-15 fighter because they didn't want Obama speaking in front of the F-22, a controversial program he fought hard to end. "White House aides actually made them remove the F-22-said they would not allow POTUS to be pictured with the F-22 in any way, shape, or form," one source close to the unit relayed. Stephen Lee, a... Fox Nation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399517/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 18:48:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398077/posts Note: The following text is a quote: Global Strike Command Assumes Ballistic Missile Mission American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2009 – Air Force Global Strike Command assumes the U.S. Air Force's Intercontinental Ballistic Missile mission today. The transfer of the mission is part of a phased approach, which began in August with the activation of the Global Strike Command, to unify all Air Force nuclear-capable assets under one command, officials said. “We are well on our way to consolidating all of our Air Force assets in this critical mission area under a single command -- one that will... DEFENSElink.mil (AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398077/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 01:49:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2389080/posts My Dear Praying Freepers, I'd like to ask if you all would put my youngest on your prayer lists. He is taking the ASVAB tomorrow as part of his journey to join the Air Force. His name is Josiah and when he does well on this test, and loses 50lbs, he will join his 3 brothers as being part of our great military. (proud mom moment) So, to start off, here's my prayer: Dear Lord, I come to You in praise, thankfulness, and wonder of how great You are. In You, all things are possible, and I know that because... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2389080/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:41:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387201/posts Update (Nov 13,'09) - added sound clips for various planes. Edwards AFB hasn't had an open house event for 3 years, so there was a lot of interest in the 2009 show. Edwards is the main Air Force flight test center for the U.S. with a rich aviation history behind it. One of the more famous exploits there was Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier in the X-1. Edwards is also known for being the alternate landing site for the Space Shuttle. For some reason, I wanted to get there before the gates opened at 7am. In retrospect, it was... Edwards Air Base http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387201/posts#comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:19:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381963/posts The U.S. Air Force has successfully tested its new Paveway II Plus laser guided bomb. The existing Paveway II bomb has a range of 14 kilometers and will hit within less than half a meter of where the laser designator is reflecting off the target. Paveway is actually a guidance kit (costing about $20,000) that is fitted to a dumb bomb, turning it into a glide bomb that homes in on the reflected laser light. The Paveway II Plus is more accurate and reliable, but the exact figures are classified. Laser guided bombs have been in use since the 1960s.... The Strategy Page http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381963/posts#comment Mon, 9 Nov 2009 06:39:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2381625/posts The likelihood of outrage seems inevitable this year in college football: The BCS controversy, which even President Obama has issued proclamations about, seems ready to explode, since six undefeated teams - two from minor conferences - survive with only three games left in the season. Two conferences, Mountain West and Western Athletic (WAC) are excluded from automatic participation in the BCS, and must compete for one of two wildcard teams, and both still have undefeated teams. But should a team which has gone undefeated and unchallenged take a slot from Alabama or Florida, which are likely to also go undefeated...... Vanity http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2381625/posts#comment Sun, 8 Nov 2009 19:14:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2380610/posts China air force much improved though still lagging Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press Writer – Thu Nov 5, 12:21 pm ET BEIJING – China's rapidly modernizing air force is planning a display of its new military might for its 60th anniversary, showcasing a wide-ranging technical upgrade that has boosted its capabilities, though it still lags far behind its main rival, the United States. The People's Liberation Army Air Force is marking the occasion this Sunday with an aerial show and skydiving exhibition, using some of the state-of-the-art combat aircraft that have replaced hundreds of antiquated MIG fighters. While only about 20... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2380610/posts#comment Sat, 7 Nov 2009 03:43:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2380404/posts The Obama adminstration must react responsibly to China’s declaration that military operations in space are inevitable, a top China expert says. “How will the US react to Chinese diplomatic efforts in light of the PLA’s blunt statements on space warfare? This is something the Obama administration has to take into account,” said Dean Cheng, China specialist at Washington’s Heritage Foundation. “Are we going to see outrage, any meaningful reactions to the Chinese statements or again that it was someone speaking out of school and we just aren’t sure.” Cheng was referring to what appears to mark a major shift... DOD Buzz http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2380404/posts#comment Fri, 6 Nov 2009 23:05:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2377785/posts FAIRBANKS — An 81-year-old man was Tasered during a traffic stop last week. It is the second time since 1998 that police have had to make a show of force during a traffic stop to arrest Glen M. Wilcox, a Fairbanks-based Episcopalian priest and real estate agent. Court documents allege that officers with Eielson Air Force Base’s 354th Security Forces Squadron pulled Wilcox over just after 1 p.m. Wednesday for going 11 miles over the speed limit on the Richardson Highway. An officer, identified as a senior airman in court documents, took Wilcox’s license, registration and proof of insurance and... Daily News-Miner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2377785/posts#comment Tue, 3 Nov 2009 23:22:49 GMT