http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/f18/ en-us Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:10:17 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030884/posts FALLON, Nev. — A pilot was missing after two U.S. Navy jets flying a routine training mission collided Friday over northern Nevada's high desert about 50 miles east of the Fallon Naval Air Station. Two pilots safely ejected from an F-5 Tiger and were rescued, but the pilot of an F/A-18C Hornet was missing, said Zip Upham, public affairs officer for the base. The two aircraft collided about noon Friday near the town of Middlegate, some 110 miles east of Reno, Upham said. The cause of the crash was under investigation, he said. The pilots in the two-seater F-5 Tiger... FoxNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030884/posts#comment Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:10:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025270/posts 1st week in May 2008, Western Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Guam, USA -- Two USN F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets intercept the low flying USAF B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber as it performs a rigging maneuver to identify the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).Large, medium, and the above smaller photo via http://ChamorroBible.org/gpw/gpw-20050822.htm (photo 5). The Story Navy, Air Force train together to showcase capabilities By Staff Sgt. Stephen Teel, 36th Wing Public Affairs, Andersen AFB, Guam, USA http://www.GuamPDN.com/guampublishing/pacificedge/data/EkEkEFulppeoOcKtLi.htm ChamorroBible.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025270/posts#comment Tue, 3 Jun 2008 12:43:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2021790/posts ILA 2008: Indian bids add spice With India prominently labelled as the show’s ‘official partner country’, the importance of the Indian market, and the growing power of India’s aerospace industry is being underlined and highlighted at Schoenefeld. Jon Lake reports With the recent, long awaited release of a $10 billion request for proposals (RFP), India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition is hotting up, and the main contenders are all present at Berlin, doubtless hoping to impress and persuade India that theirs is the best choice as India’s next fighter. Originally launched as the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) requirement, the... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2021790/posts#comment Tue, 27 May 2008 07:55:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015584/posts Now Navy wants Super Hornets too It Is now sufficiently clear that the Indian Navy wants to be able to use the air force’s assets of war. In a revelation so far kept under wraps, the Navy has asked Boeing a contender for India’s $10-billion tender for 126 air force fighters if the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet can operate off the INS Vikramaditya, the rechristened Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov currently being refurbished in Russia for the Indian Navy. None of the fighters in the IAF’s existing fleet have the capability to operate from the deck of an aircraft carrier. Boeing’s... The Hindustan Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015584/posts#comment Wed, 14 May 2008 01:29:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2013049/posts It was particularly memorable, Craig Williams said, the night he almost died.Williams, 44, is a Concord resident, and, among many other accomplishments, is a former federal prosecutor and the endorsed Republican candidate for the 7th Congressional seat, U.S. Congress, House of Representatives. The year of his near death was 1991, it was the dead of winter and he was flying across the icy North Atlantic with his squadron, the VMFA(AW)-121 Green Knights. He was a first lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, flying as a Weapons and Sensor Officer in the back seat of a two-seater F/A-18D Hornet, on... Press Newspapers http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2013049/posts#comment Thu, 8 May 2008 15:11:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007903/posts NEW DELHI: US civil and defence aerospace major Boeing has decided to outsource two critical components of the F-18 Super Hornet combat aircraft to India and the order for one of them could go to the Tatas. Lt Gen Jeffrey B. Kohler, Boeing vice president for international strategy, told the India Strategic defence magazine that as a “responsible world player in aerospace, Boeing wanted a long-term, trusted partnership with India and that the orders for these two components are being placed now irrespective of whether or not the company wins the tender for 126 Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA).” Both... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2007903/posts#comment Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:11:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986898/posts Australia drops threat to cancel US jet fighter contract The Associated Press Monday, March 17, 2008 CANBERRA, Australia: Australia's government Monday withdrew its threat to cancel a $4.6 billion contract to buy 24 U.S.-manufactured Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters, after accusing the previous administration of entering the deal for political reasons. Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon announced the sale would go ahead after a review by Australian officials of the plane's capability. ... "The new government is satisfied that the Super Hornet is an aircraft with significant capability and more than capable of meeting all of Australia's defense needs," Fitzgibbon told... International Herald Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986898/posts#comment Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:28:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1968808/posts 2/11/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force over an enemy compound near Sangin and over a coalition-forces convoy in the vicinity of Tarin Kowt. The shows of force were conducted in order to deter enemy activities in the areas. The missions were declared successful by the on-scene joint terminal attack controller. In Bari Kowt, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted... Air Force Link http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1968808/posts#comment Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:48:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1949758/posts WASHINGTON (AP) - Two U.S. Navy fighter jets plunged into the Persian Gulf Monday, after what initial reports suggest was a mid-air collision, a defense official said. All three pilots ejected safely from the planes and were headed back to the USS Harry Truman, the aircraft carrier they were operating from, according to the official, who requested anonymity because the information was preliminary and not yet released publicly. No other details or the crash were released. One of the F-18 jets that crashed held two pilots, the other held just one. The crash occurred at about 1 p.m. EST. AP via Breitbart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1949758/posts#comment Mon, 7 Jan 2008 19:20:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1935973/posts U.S. fighter bids for India hit tech-transfer snag Thu Dec 6, 2007 2:06pm EST By Jim Wolf WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A split in the Pentagon over how much cutting-edge technology to share with India is complicating bids by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Boeing Co (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) for a potential $10 billion fighter jet contract. At issue, among other things, is advanced radar know-how India wants as part of any deal for the 126 new fighter jets it plans to buy from one of six global aerospace powerhouses, say current and former Pentagon officials. Detailed... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1935973/posts#comment Fri, 7 Dec 2007 04:10:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1922281/posts A training bomb fell accidentally from a Navy plane in California on the same day one dropped near a busy road in Virginia Beach, Navy officials confirmed Tuesday. Both incidents involved F/A-18 Hornets and an inert, 10-pound bomb called BDU-48. The bomb, which releases only smoke on impact, fell into a commercial area along London Bridge Road. No one was injured, and there was little damage. The plane was returning to Oceana Naval Air Station from a North Carolina bombing range. That same day - Oct. 30 - a BDU-48 fell off a Hornet based at Lemoore Naval Air Station... The Virginian-Pilot http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1922281/posts#comment Wed, 7 Nov 2007 16:12:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1921444/posts WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A mandatory grounding of Air Force F-15s has been expanded to cover those flying combat missions over Afghanistan after a crash in Missouri last week, Air Force officials said Monday. The F-15Es in Afghanistan can fly only in emergency situations to protect U.S. and coalition troops in a battle, according to Maj. John Elolf, a spokesman for the U.S. Air Force Central Command. Maj. Cristin Marposon, an Air Force spokeswoman, told The Associated Press the country's fleet of 676 F-15s, including mission critical jets, was grounded on November 3 for "airworthiness concerns" after the crash of an... cnn.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1921444/posts#comment Tue, 6 Nov 2007 01:46:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1918580/posts VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Navy said a small, inert training bomb fell Tuesday from an F/A-18C Hornet fighter jet that was heading to Oceana Naval Air Station. No one was hurt. The Navy said in a statement that the bomb hit a wall adjacent to a warehouse in the resort city of Virginia Beach. Minimal damage was reported. The aircraft was returning to Oceana following a training mission at the Navy's bombing range in Dare County, N.C., when it dropped the bomb. The jet landed safely at Oceana. -snip- News Observer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1918580/posts#comment Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:08:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1899419/posts Australia 'cracked US codes' By Don Woolford September 20, 2007 04:23pm KIM Beazley has told how Australia cracked top-secret American combat aircraft codes while he was defence minister in the 1980s. "We spied on them and we extracted the codes," Mr Beazley told Parliament during his valedictory speech today. Mr Beazley, who was defence minister from 1984 to 1990, said that when he took over the job he soon learned that the radar on Australia's Hornets could not identify most potentially hostile aircraft in the region. In other words, Australia's frontline fighter could not shoot down enemies in the region.... news.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1899419/posts#comment Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:05:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1892951/posts Front PageIAF Jaguars ‘sink’ USS Nimitz, F-18s return the favour to INS Viraat Manu Pubby Posted online: Saturday, September 08, 2007 at 0000 hrs Malabar Exercise: From tracking nuclear submarines to managing 200 aircraft and taking on deep-sea terror threat, five Navies cover sweeping range of maritime operations ON BOARD USS Kitty Hawk (150 miles west of Port Blair), September 7: As the small green dots approached closer on the radar screen, the Indian officer sitting deep inside USS Nimitz knew it was too late to save the ship. Jaguar maritime fighters of the Indian Air Force (IAF), operating from... The Indian Express http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1892951/posts#comment Sat, 8 Sep 2007 04:12:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1889912/posts http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a04_1188112290 liveleak http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1889912/posts#comment Sat, 1 Sep 2007 18:03:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1843393/posts The term "joint operations" in todays military is thought of American service members carrying out missions with service members from different branches of the U.S. military or coalition partners working together. For two units, one in Japan and the other in the Republic of Korea, joint operations went in a different direction as the mission wasn't against one adversary force but against each other. Marine Corps aviators stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan flew simulated combat mission against opposing forces, commonly referred to as Red Air, pilots from 80th Fighter Squadron here. The 80th FS deployed to Iwakuni... f-16.net http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1843393/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jun 2007 23:50:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1838531/posts Ever wondered what happens when a fast jet has a blow out on landing? Here's one less pilot who can stop wondering, as this video shows him doing just that, complete with a classy skid to bring things to a close. flightglobal.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1838531/posts#comment Wed, 23 May 2007 17:26:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1829403/posts My son was able to attend the Air and Sea show today in Ft. Lauderdale FL. The link is to the Flikr slideshow containing his pictures. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1829403/posts#comment Mon, 7 May 2007 02:52:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1810540/posts Ultra Hornet By Graham Warwick Boeing and the US Navy are poised to expand and exploit the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's capability for precision engagement and battle management now the upgraded platform is matched to the latest avionics While debate rages over the hallmarks and advantages of fifth-generation fighters, Boeing is preparing to deliver the next generation of its long-running F/A-18. The F/A-18E/F Block II+ Super Hornet is the culmination of a fundamental upgrade of the multi-role fighter and the foundation for future capability expansion. Next-generation Super Hornet deliveries to the US Navy will begin later this year when the first... Flight International http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1810540/posts#comment Mon, 2 Apr 2007 12:11:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1783871/posts Bangalore air show: Indian combat aircraft order could be split between the MiG-35 and Western types By Siva Govindasamy India might accelerate introduction of advanced aircraft into air force service by dividing contract into batches India could divide its order for 126 multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) into two, with Russia's MiG-35 a front-runner for the first batch of fighters if the plan goes ahead. The move is being considered in New Delhi as one way of inducting advanced aircraft into the Indian air force at an earlier date, and therefore expanding its strategic reach in the region. Indian defence minister... Flight International http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1783871/posts#comment Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:53:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1769374/posts This year, as every year on January 17, I remember this was the date that LCDR Michael Scott Speicher disappeared in Iraq. That was in 1991, so it has been 16 years now since his F-16 Hornet went down. Let us never forget an American hero. He, nor any other POW/MIA, should be left behind. Friends Working to Free Scott Speicher http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1769374/posts#comment Thu, 18 Jan 2007 05:40:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1763100/posts Check out one of the best vapor shock and cones ever to be caught on tape. military.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1763100/posts#comment Fri, 5 Jan 2007 22:36:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1747985/posts It's a 3 minute and 46 second demonstration of the superb flying skills of the United States Navy's fighter pilots in the F/A-18F Super Hornet jet fighter. Once again we see why the U.S. military pilots are the best in the world. Salinas Air Show 2005 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1747985/posts#comment Mon, 4 Dec 2006 01:21:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1746139/posts Secret plan to lease planes Ian McPhedran November 29, 2006 11:00pm A SECRET plan is being developed to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, effectively leasing a temporary fighter plane fleet to fill a looming air combat shortfall. The hired fleet would be at least partly based at Amberley, in southeast Queensland, along with Tindall in the Northern Territory and Williamtown in New South Wales. The Royal Australian Air Force will retire its ageing fleet of F-111 strike jets from 2010 and won't take delivery of the first of $16 billion of new stealth Joint Strike Fighters until at... news.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1746139/posts#comment Thu, 30 Nov 2006 02:01:23 GMT