DefenceTalkThe KC-46A Pegasus connected in flight with an F-16 Fighting Falcon and a C-17 Globemaster III July 8 and July 12, respectively, as part of a testing milestone. These tests with the F-16 and C-17 were in support of the Milestone C requirements to rendezvous, contact and transfer fuel to several receiver aircraft types. An […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kc-46-completes-milestone-by-refueling-fighter-jet-cargo-plane-67839/

DefenceTalkThe Air Combat Command F-35A Heritage Flight team accomplished America’s first transatlantic flight in an F-35A Lightning II, with refueling support from a KC-10 Extender, when it touched down here June 30. This historic flight, which brought the team to England from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, was a first for not only the F-35A; […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-usaf-f-35a-takes-overseas-flight-to-england-67774/

DefenceTalkThe first off-station deployment exercise for the F-35A Lightning II confirmed that the Air Force’s newest fighter jet is on track to reach initial operational capability later this year. A declaration of IOC means the F-35A will be combat ready. Seven F-35A aircraft and 181 personnel from Hill’s active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-says-f-35a-nearly-combat-ready-67741/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Mobility Directorate signed a multiyear contract with Lockheed Martin to procure 78 C-130J Super Hercules with the option to buy up to 83 over the next five years. The agreement is the second multiyear contract for the C-130J and it saves the Defense Department about $680 million and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-usaf-c-130j-contract-to-save-dod-millions-67608/

DefenceTalkFORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md: One of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds crash landed June 2 in a field near Colorado Springs, Colorado, following the U.S. Air Force Academy commencement, which was attended by President Barack Obama. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, the #6 jet in the formation, crashed about 5 nautical miles south of Peterson […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thunderbird-f-16-crashes-after-academy-graduation-pilot-safe-67577/

DefenceTalkKC-46 Pegasus aircraft are now expected to arrive at their first basing locations by late summer or early fall 2017. The KC-46 was most recently scheduled for a spring 2017 arrival at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, the first formal training unit location; and McConnell AFB, Kansas, the first active duty-led Pegasus main operating base. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-and-u-s-air-force-adjust-kc-46-tanker-schedule-67540/

DefenceTalkA B-52 bomber was left a fiery wreck after crashing at a US airbase on the Pacific island of Guam Thursday but all seven crew escaped unharmed, officials said. The giant B-52H Stratofortress went down at Andersen Air Force Base at 8:30 am (2230 GMT Wednesday) with photos showing flames and thick black smoke billowing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-b-52-bomber-crashes-on-guam-crew-safe-67514/

DefenceTalkA U.S. Pacific Command air contingent began flying operations at Clark Air Base on April 19 with the successful launch of four A-10C Thunderbolt IIs and two HH-60G Pave Hawks. The aircraft are part of the newly stood up air contingent here conducting operations ranging from air and maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pacaf-a-10s-hh-60s-fly-first-air-contingent-missions-in-philippines-67325/

DefenceTalkU.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrived at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, April 9, in support of theater requirements and Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria and the wider international community. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/b-52-stratofortress-joins-coalition-team-67213/

DefenceTalkAs the Air Force gets ready for the arrival of its newest aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft, a diverse group of Airmen is working hard to make sure the KC-46A Pegasus is ready to meet the service’s needs. Lt. Col. John Mikal is one of them. Mikal, a reservist KC-135 Stratotanker instructor pilot […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-putting-the-kc-46a-pegasus-through-its-paces-67185/