The Aviationist Blog

Interesting footage released by the Russian MoD. According to the Russian MoD, during the last few days the US-led coalition in Syria has deployed three times more drones than before with up to 50 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles often up in the air at the same time. #SYRIA During some periods of time, there are more […]

The first F-35 delivered outside the U.S. was taken on charge by the Italian Air Force. On Dec. 3, Lt. Gen. Pasquale Preziosa, Chief of the Italian Air Force, welcomed the first Italian F-35A at the F-35 Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility at Cameri, in northwestern Italy. Not only is the AL-1 (as the […]

The next generation Il-80 airborne command post is about to enter active service with the Russian Air Force. The Russian Air Force will soon operate an upgraded Il-80 Maxdome airborne command post. In fact, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, a “new” version of the Russian “doomsday plane” has recently successfully completed the testing campaign […]

RAF Tornados, supported by Voyager tanker and a Reaper UAV, have extended the UK’s airstrikes to Syria. Hours after the UK parliament approved to extend the airstrikes to include Syria, Royal Air Force Tornado attack planes, deployed to Akrotiri, Cyprus, flew their first raid on terrorist targets inside Syria, early in the morning on Dec. […]

Watch these U-2 Dragon Ladies land at RAF Fairford. Taken on Jun. 9, 2015 this interesting footage shows why the Dragon Lady is one of the most difficult plane to land in the world. As we have already seen in the U-2 clips taken at Beale Air Force Base, this iconic reconnaissance aircraft requires some special […]

Following the downing of the Su-24 Fencer on Nov. 24, Russian attack planes fly with air-to-air missiles for self-protection. The Russian Air Force has decided to arm the Su-34 Fullback attack planes based at Latakia, in Syria, with air-to-air missiles to enhance the defensive capabilities of the aircraft conducting air strikes against terrorists across the […]

U.S. Navy Growlers jam High Value Targets/Individuals’ cell phones. The image in this post shows the nose of a VAQ-137 EA-18G Growler aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Interestingly, the aircraft sports a quite unique kill marking, showing a person “hit” by a lightning bolt. According […]

Area 51 airline is hiring. Janet airline is the name of a small fleet of passenger aircraft that serve the famous Area 51, the U.S. Air Force top-secret base in the Nevada desert, along with some key military airbases used for research and development, including the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Air Force Plant […]

Here’s why Wild Weasel missions were among the most dangerous sorties flown in Southeast Asia. During the Vietnam War the main threat to the strike packages was the V-750 (S-75) Dvina, the first effective Soviet surface-to-air missile (SAM). Better known by the NATO designation SA-2 Guideline, the missile was developed in the mid 1950s and it was used […]

Designated AL-1, the first F-35A assembled internationally flew today from Cameri airbase, Italy.

On Sept. 7, the first F-35A assembled outside the US, made its very first flight from Cameri airbase.

The aircraft, designated AL-1, is the first of eight aircraft currently being assembled at the Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility at Cameri, in northwestern Italy. As already explained in a previous post, the FACO will assemble the first Italian F-35As and the remaining F-35A and F-35B for the Italian Air Force and Navy, and build F-35A for the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

The 5th generation multirole aircraft was given the low-visibility roundel and markings of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force), as well as the 32° Stormo (Wing) emblem and code “32-01.”

During the flight, that lasted about 1,5 hours, the F-35A was escorted by a Eurofighter Typhoon.

The Aviationist’s contributor Simone Bovi took the exclusive images that you can find in this post.

The first F-35A is expected to be delivered to the Italian Air Force by the end of the year.

 

Related articles

• Italian Air Force KC-767 becomes first international tanker to refuel an F-35
• Italian Eurofighter Typhoons ready to take over lead role in NATO Baltic Air Policy
• Italian Typhoon jets have started Operational Testing and Evaluation in the air-to-ground role
• These are the first pictures of the Italian Typhoon jets providing NATO Baltic Air Policing in Lithuania
• Italian Typhoon jets have intercepted a Russian Air Force Il-78 tanker over the Baltic Sea
• First ever F-35 assembled internationally destined to Italy rolled out of Cameri facility
• The Italian Air Force has just unveiled two Eurofighter Typhoon jets with special colored tails

An awesome airshow.

Along with an impressive line-up, what made Radom Airshow 2015 interesting was the fact that it provided an overview of some of the weapons systems involved, in one way or another one, in several Polish Armed Forces procurement programs.

Among the aircraft that took part in the largest airshow organized in Poland this year there was the T129 ATAK helicopter, offered by TAI within the scope of the Polish “Kruk” attack helicopter tender, that performed an interesting dynamic display.

Secondly, the ATK company presented its AGM-88E AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile) which is offered as a complementary element of ordnance for the Polish F-16 fleet.

Then, Alenia Aermacchi company showcased a scale model of M-346 Master armed with the Brimstone missiles. Poland has already procured eight M-346 jets for the Air Force Academy but along with the advanced jet training role the “Master” could also partly replace the old (but recently upgraded) Polish Su-22 fighter bombers thanks to the advertised ground attack capabilities.

The main portion of the show belonged to the aerobatic teams. Radom flightline included the Polish Orlik and Iskry teams, as well as the famous Frecce Tricolori, along with Patrulla Águila and Patrulla Aspa from Spain, Swiss Patrouille de Suisse team, Baby Blue team from Denmark or the Baltic Bees team from Latvia.

Fighter jets also performed spectacular displays.

Both the Italian Eurofighter Typhoon, the Polish and Slovak MiG-29 and Belgian or Greek F-16 fighters, and the French Rafale took part in the air display with stunning maneuvers.

However, one of the most spectacular displays was performed by the Romanian MiG-21 LanceR, as this fighter is at least two decades older than the fourth generation jets. The MiG-21 display exhibited the raw power of the Cold War jet, with a lot of afterburner coming into play.

Two displays that are worth mentioning here were performed by the role demo teams – the Polish Su-22 aerobatic team which presented the capabilities of the old jet – including spectacular passes with varied geometry of the wings (which is quite difficult, considering the small speed overlap in case of the extreme wing positions). Second display was performed by a CAS-role demo team with the Polish F-16 jets performing a CAS (Close Air Support) demonstration, together with the Fitters.

Unfortunately, the F-16 solo display did not take place during the Radom show, even though the demo team is involved in intensive training activities over the Krzesiny airbase. The display is rumored to have a premiere planned for the Krzesiny Air Base annual air show, scheduled on Sep. 5.

The static display also featured numerous interesting airframes, as the above-mentioned MiG-21, two examples of C-27J Spartan transports, Israeli C-130 Hercules (open to the public) and the German P3 Orion.

The Polish Air Force showcased all of its inventory as well, including the Mi-8 and Mi-14PŁ helicopters and F-16, Su-22 and MiG-29 fighters. Even Kaman Seasprite helicopter of the Polish Navy was presented in a static display, unfortunately without the special color scheme painted on the fuselage.

Overall the air show in Radom was very interesting. The only thing lacking were the jets from beyond the Eastern border of Poland, such as the Ukrainian or Belarusian Su-27 Flankers or Su-24 Fencers.

However, in the current geopolitical situation, it is hard to expect that the Ukrainians would attend any air show east of Hungary. The Belarus’s Flanker fleet is in a really bad shape, on the other hand – according to some of the last year’s reports.

All photos: Jacek Siminski

 

Related articles

• Large “RARÓG-13″ exercise ends in Poland
• [Video] A-10 Warthog’s take off filmed with a GoPro camera
• Special Colored Polish F-16s attending NATO Tiger Meet in Norway
• A quick look at Aviano airbase’s F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole jets
• U.S. A-10 Thunderbolds to be temporarily stationed in Poland?
• Polish and Greek combat planes conduct joint training
• Ukrainian Su-25 Frogfoot attack planes fly at insanely low altitude, buzz airport tower!

 

Two Italian Typhoon sport an interesting tail color scheme.

Among the several highlights of the Rivolto Spotter Day organized by the Italian Air Force on Sept. 4, ahead of the air show (Sept. 5 and 6) to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Frecce Tricolori display team, there is also the special colored tails sported by two Eurofighter Typhoon jets.

The aircraft, belonging to the 10° Gruppo (Squadron) of 36° Stormo (Wing), based at Gioia del Colle were given an unusual camouflaged tail with a tricolored rudder and a large black rearing horse on white cloud, symbol of Italy’s top WWI ace Francesco Baracca.

Both aircraft (MM7297 and 7308) took part in the air display at Rivolto performing a flyover along with a replica of the SPAD XIII, the French biplane fighter aircraft flown by Baracca that inspired the new special color scheme (the two jets did not fly in formation with the Spad but made a fast flyby at the end of the biplane’s display).

 

Related articles

• The Italian Air Force has unveiled a new indigenous trainer: the T-344 V.E.S.P.A.
• Royal International Air Tattoo 2014 highlights
• Photo shows a tanker surrounded by five thirsty Eurofighter Typhoons jets at night
• German Typhoon boasts special World Cup 2014 victory markings
• Italian Typhoon jets have started Operational Testing and Evaluation in the air-to-ground role
• Frecce Tricolori MB.339PAN sports brand new livery to celebrate 55th anniversary of the display team
• Italian Eurofighter Typhoons ready to take over lead role in NATO Baltic Air Policy

Two Raptors have visited Amari, Estonia, with two A-10s and one KC-135 tanker.

On Sept. 4, two of the four F-22s currently stationed at Spangdahlem, Germany, visited Amari airbase, in Estonia, for a brief forward deployment to the airbase supporting the NATO Baltic Air Patrol mission.

A KC-135 Stratotanker along with two F-22 Raptors and two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fly overhead before landing at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Sept. 4, 2015, as part of a brief forward deployment. The F-22s have previously deployed to both the Pacific and Southwest Asia for Airmen to train in a realistic environment while testing partner nations’ ability to host advanced aircraft like the F-22. The F-22s are deployed from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The U.S. Air Force routinely deploys aircraft and Airmen to Europe for training and exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane)

As done during the previous deployment to Poland, the two Raptors, escorted by a KC-135 and two A-10 Warthogs (of the 8 already based there), returned to Spangdahlem later the same day: just a symbolic visit, that marked the closest deployment of the F-22 stealthy jets to Russia.

An F-22 Raptor takes off from Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Sept. 4, 2015, following a brief forward deployment. The F-22s have previously deployed to both the Pacific and Southwest Asia for Airmen to train in a realistic environment while testing partner nations’ ability to host advanced aircraft like the F-22. The F-22s are deployed from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The U.S. Air Force routinely deploys aircraft and Airmen to Europe for training and exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane)

The F-22s, belonging to the 95th Fighter Squadron, from Tyndall Air Force Base, are expected to operate in Europe (and visit some more eastern bases) until mid-September.

An F-22 Raptor takes off from Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Sept. 4, 2015, following a brief forward deployment. The F-22s have previously deployed to both the Pacific and Southwest Asia for Airmen to train in a realistic environment while testing partner nations’ ability to host advanced aircraft like the F-22. The F-22s are deployed from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The U.S. Air Force routinely deploys aircraft and Airmen to Europe for training and exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane)

 

An F-22 Raptor and an A-10 Thunderbolt II fly overhead before landing at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Sept. 4, 2015, as part of a brief forward deployment. The F-22s have previously deployed to both the Pacific and Southwest Asia for Airmen to train in a realistic environment while testing partner nations’ ability to host advanced aircraft like the F-22. The F-22s are deployed from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The U.S. Air Force routinely deploys aircraft and Airmen to Europe for training and exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Ryan Crane)

H/T Kait Kasak and Aavo Harju for the heads-up

 

Related articles

• Stunning photos of the F-22s departing at night from Tyndall AFB for their first deployment in Europe
• U.S. F-22 Raptor stealth jets currently in Germany to move to Poland on Monday
• In pictures, F-22A stealth fighters arrive in Germany for Raptor’s inaugural deployment to Europe
• Here are the first pictures of the U.S. F-22s deploying to Poland for the very first time
• This Infographic provides some interesting details about the F-22 Raptor Mission in Europe
• F-22 deployment to Europe underway: 4 Raptors currently heading to Germany
• The U.S. Air Force is deploying 12 F-15 jets to Europe as first Air National Guard theater security package

You don’t happen to see the Su-30SM that close too often.

The Su-30SM is a special variant of the thrust-vectoring Su-30MKI and MKM produced by the Irkut Corporation for the Russian Air Force (that should operate 60 jets of this type by 2016).

It’s a 4+ Generation twin-engine, two seat supermanuverable multi-role aircraft equipped with improved avionics, the Bars-R radar and a wide-angle HUD (Head Up Display).

And, no matter how it is effective in a WVR (Within Visual Range) or BVR (Beyond Visual Range) scenario, it’s quite cool.

H/T Lasse Holmstrom for the heads-up

 

Related articles

• Russia surpassed U.S. in production of new combat planes, Russian United Aircraft Corporation says
• The Indian Air Force has deployed four Su-30MKI Flanker jets to the UK
• Dutch F-16 took an interesting video of armed Russian Su-34 attack planes intercepted over the Baltics
• New Photos of Russian Planes intercepted by Norwegian Fighter Jets
• Unique Point of View: R-73 Missile Launch as seen from the pylon of a Russian Su-27 Flanker
• Russia has moved Mig-31 interceptors close to Ukrainian border
• Up close and personal with Russia’s 5th generation stealth fighter: first close-up pictures of the PAK-FA

Photos allegedly taken over Idlib seem to prove Russian Migs, Sukhois and drones are currently operating against ISIS in Syria

Pictures allegedly shot over Idlib and posted on Twitter seem to suggest Sukhoi Su-27 (or derivative) Flanker, Mig-29 Fulcrum, Su-34 Fullback jets and Pchela-1T drone are operating in Syria.

#Syria Nusra linked acc. posted pics of Russian made drone & jets flying over Western #Idlib. Huge if true. pic.twitter.com/1xPuUbD9an

— Green lemon (@green_lemonnn) September 2, 2015

Provided the pictures are genuine and taken in Syria in the last couple of days, they would really prove a Russian expeditionary force has already arrived in the country and started flying from an Assad-controlled airbase near Damascus as reported by some Israeli media outlets.

During the past days, Flightradar24.com has exposed several flights of a Russian Air Force (even though the registration shown by FR24 is Syrian – there has been a bit of confusion around this plane since if was first logged in Sept. 2014) Il-76 airlifter (caught by means of its Mode-S transponder) flying to and from Damascus using radio callsign “Manny 6”, most probably supporting the deployment of a Russian expeditionary force.

Recent reports claimed Russia was in talks to sell Damascus some MiG-29s but the rumors were refuted by MiG CEO Sergei Korotkov.

If the pictures are real, the current makeup of the Russian detachment would include attack planes (Su-34), as well as some air-superiority ones (MiG-29 and Su-27) and UAVs (Pchela 1T – a drone with a of range 60 km).

Whether the Russian Air Force operations against ISIS in Syria are coordinated with the U.S.-led coalition that daily conducts air strikes in the country is unclear. Let’s hope they talk each other, otherwise one of the next days the Su-27s may make a close encounter with a stealthy US F-22 providing kinetic situational awareness to other coalition combat planes.

In the meanwhile the Kremlin denies the participation of Russia in the anti-ISIS airstrikes….

We will update you as soon as more details confirming or refuting the deployment emerge.

Image credit: FR24.com and @green_lemonnn

 

 

Related articles

• Watch Russia’s Biggest Ever Victory Day Parade through Combat Aircraft’s GoPro cameras
• Awesome Footage Brings You Aboard a Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker During Air Show over Crimea
• Ukrainian Mig-29 Fulcrum evacuated from Crimea, back to operational status
• Unique HD video shows Russian Su-27 intercept P-3 Orion aircraft over the Baltic Sea
• Finnish Air Force Hornet jets have taken some cool snapshots of Russian bombers skirting Finland’s airspace
• Ukrainian Mig-29 Fulcrum (in display team livery) performs low pass over pro-Russia separatists
• Russian Tu-22 bomber scares NATO air defenses flying at supersonic speed over the Baltic Sea for the first time

“This is not a one-time operating zone. We created an airspace arrangement that is enduring, so when we need to go back, it will be available.”

Whilst the majority of aviation enthusiasts and media watched four F-22s deploy to Europe for the first time, another quite interesting and significant deployment took place in a Baltic State.

In fact, according to the U.S. Air Force, two MQ-1 Predator drones and approximately 70 Airmen deployed to Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia beginning on Aug. 24 for a temporary deployment that will continue through mid-September.

The deployment aims to test the ability of 147th Reconnaissance Wing of the Texas Air National Guard based in Ellington Field in Houston, Texas to forward deploy, and to conduct air operations with the RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) “while [as usual] assuring NATO allies of our commitment to regional security and stability.”

As for the F-22s, that deployed in accordance with the Rapid Raptor Package concept, the deployment had to prove the unit’s ability to prepare, deploy, setup shop, fly and exercise all of the agreements, arrangements and relationships required to make this happen: key words are responsive and flexible operations.

“It validates basing and airspace arrangements, operations and host-nation agreements in a very real way,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Recker from the operations directorate at U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Headquarters in a release.

“This will test mobility, maintenance and logisticians arranging airlift,” he said. “Personnel have to make decisions about bandwidth, satellite communication, frequency allocation and frequency clearing.”

Interestingly, “This is not a one-time operating zone. We created an airspace arrangement that is enduring, so when we need to go back, it will be available,” said Recker.

During the deployment, Predators will not be involved in intelligence gathering missions, but will test ability to collect and share intelligence with other NATO allies.

But plans are to do something more, like Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) training: MQ-1 drones will collect intelligence that will be distributed to NATO JTACs so that they will be able to call in airstrikes of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes.

So, the military build-up in Europe continues with F-22s and MQ-1s performing brief deployments to test and validate their ability to reach the Old Continent in timely fashion, and to lay the foundations of longer presence of stealth jets and drones around eastern European nations threatened by Russia.

Image credit: U.S. Air Force

 

Related articles

• Four U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt jets have deployed to Slovakia
• In photos, evacuation of a simulated incapacitated A-10 Thunderbolt pilot
• [Video] A-10 Warthog’s take off filmed with a GoPro camera
• U.S. Air Force A-10 attack planes have arrived in Estonia
• Video shows A-10 Thunderbolts support Peshmerga forces attacking ISIS militants near Mosul
• Video shows U.S. A-10s conducting austere landing training at an abandoned Warsaw Pact airfield in Poland
• Gorgeous video shows U.S. A-10 landing on a dirt runway in the desert

Some facts about the inaugural Raptor deployment in Europe.

The U.S. Air Force has released an infographic with a collection of information about the F-22 Raptor at its first training deployment in Europe.

Even though it is quite simple, the image provides some useful information about the Rapid Raptor Package concept used to deploy the 5th Generation jet in any theater across the world in 24 hours: in particular, it states that a standard package is made of 4 F-22s, 1 C-17 and 60 supporting airmen. Not too much for the most advanced U.S. fighter plane currently in service.

Two of the four F-22s belonging to 95th FS are currently in Poland, for some training with the Polish Air Force and prove they can operate from former Warsaw Pact countries and airbases as well.

More base visits across eastern Europe are expected until the aircraft return to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, in mid September.

If you read us from a mobile device, please click here to open the infographic.

 

Related articles

• Here are the first pictures of the U.S. F-22s deploying to Poland for the very first time
• U.S. F-22 Raptor stealth jets currently in Germany to move to Poland on Monday
• More U.S. F-16s have just deployed to Poland amid Ukraine crisis
• U.S. A-10 Tank Busters deployed to Poland…again.
• In pictures, F-22A stealth fighters arrive in Germany for Raptor’s inaugural deployment to Europe
• U.S. is about to deploy F-22 Raptor stealth jets to Europe in a show of force against Russia

Two Raptors have deployed to Lask, along with four F-16s and one C-130.

Two of the four F-22 Raptor jets belonging to 95th Fighter Squadron from Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, currently deployed to Spangdahlem airbase, in Germany, have landed at Łask airbase, in Poland, at 08.30 local time (06,30 UTC).

In this post you can find some shots taken by Filip Modrzejewski, chief editor of the Foto Poork portal.

The forward presence of the Raptors in Poland is aimed at reassuring allies in Europe and bolstering regional security proving the 5th Gen. stealth jet’s ability to quickly deploy to the European theater: the F-22s returned to Spangdahlem to continue their deployment later on the same day.

Along with the F-22s, four F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, taking part in bilateral training with the Polish Air Force (during which they will be joined by additional F-16s from the 176th Fighter Squadron, Wisconsin Air National Guard, in early September) deployed to Lask.

Photo Credit: Filip Modrzejewski – Foto Poork

 

Related articles

• Stunning photos of the F-22s departing at night from Tyndall AFB for their first deployment in Europe
• In pictures, F-22A stealth fighters arrive in Germany for Raptor’s inaugural deployment to Europe
• U.S. F-22 Raptor stealth jets currently in Germany to move to Poland on Monday
• F-22 deployment to Europe underway: 4 Raptors currently heading to Germany
• Super Cool Night Photos of the F-22 Raptor stealth jets refueling mid-air enroute to Syria
• This photo shows how F-22s get rid of external fuel tanks to achieve full stealthiness
• U.S. is about to deploy F-22 Raptor stealth jets to Europe in a show of force against Russia

It must have been quite loud.

Pretty cool video showing Blue Angel #7 taking off from Runway 23L at Willow Run Airport for the Thunder Over Michigan airshow.

As usual, the low transition is followed by a high performance climb.

H/T Emiliano Guerra for the heads-up

 

Related articles

• Video clip shows A-7K Corsair jet’s strafing passes on Michigan Range 24 years ago
• The untold story of the US Army unit that surveilled the East/West German border before the collapse of the Wall
• Michigan ANG KC-135s at RAF Mildenhall to support local tanker force (currently deployed all over the world)
• Close-up view of the (rather bumpy) A-10 Warthog nose. With serpentine noseart around the 30mm gun
• Quick thinking saved a USAF RC-135 and its 27 crew members after fire erupted during takeoff roll
• Stunning aerial photos show Textron Scorpion tactical jet in Royal Navy demonstrations
• Italian Air Force KC-767 becomes first international tanker to refuel an F-35

It looks like the F-22s may move to Poland. Soon.

According to the Polish Media outlet Głos Wielkopolski, the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor fighters belonging to the 95th Fighter Squadron, from Tyndall Air Force Base, that arrived at Spangdahlem airbase on Aug. 28, will be deployed to Poland next Monday Aug. 31.

The U.S. jets are going to be involved in joint training with the Polish F-16 fighters and information published by Głos Wielkopolski suggests that the Raptors are going to be stationed at the Polish 32 AB in Łask (a news confirmed by the base spokesman according to Scramble).

The arrival of the four F-22s marks the beginning of the inaugural Rapid Raptor package deployment in Europe: the type has often taken part in rotational deployments in the Asia-Pacific region since 2009, to show the presence of Washington’s 5th generation stealth jet around the disputed islands in the South China Sea, while some are also taking parting in the air war against ISIS.

Some analysts speculate the Raptors were not deployed in Europe earlier because of the risk of close encounters with Russian ELINT jets above the Baltics and the resulting disclosure of some sensitive information pertaining the Raptor, a risk the stealth jet face all around the world, actually.

Image credit: U.S. Air Force

Related articles

• In pictures, F-22A stealth fighters arrive in Germany for Raptor’s inaugural deployment to Europe
• Stunning photos of the F-22s departing at night from Tyndall AFB for their first deployment in Europe
• U.S. Air Force teaming F-22s with F-35s to maximise their 5th Generation capabilities
• [Photo] F-22 Raptor stealth jet pilot flies air strike in Syria with U.S. flag in the cockpit
• Super Cool Night Photos of the F-22 Raptor stealth jets refueling mid-air enroute to Syria
• U.S. F-22s, F-15s intercepted two pairs of Russian Tu-95 bombers off Alaska and California on July 4th
• U.S. may deploy F-22 Raptor stealth jets to Europe to counter “Russian threat”