Senator Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) said this week that ex-Viper pilots can likely get a combat job if they want one.

“If you’re a retired F-16 pilot and you’re looking to fight for freedom, they will hire you here,” Graham told reporters after a meeting with Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelenskyy. “They’re going to look throughout NATO nations for willing fighter pilots who retired to come help them until they can get their pilots trained. So we’re going to get these jets in the air sooner rather than later.”

Ukraine received its first few F-16s in late July, and there should be about 20 ready for combat by the end of the year, but training pilots is a slow process.

Only about 20 Ukrainian Air Force pilots will be qualified by the end of the year, and that’s about half the number needed for the available aircraft. The Vipers are expected to act as a deterrence to long-range attacks from the Russian side of the line by forcing it to release weapons from a greater distance.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post Ukraine Looking for Retired F-16 Pilots appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Only six Ukrainian air force pilots have been fully trained to fly the Vipers, and Ukraine is expected to take a conservative approach to their deployment.

According to the Washington Post, the first few F-16s will likely be used in defensive roles rather than mixing it up with Russian MiGs and Sukhois. In fact, it’s still not known what operating restrictions have been imposed by the NATO countries donating the aircraft.

At first, the F-16s will operate well out of harm’s way, shooting down drones and doing other defensive tasks. Ukraine says the training process for its pilots is an issue because it takes more than six months to get them the language and technical skills they need to operate a Western aircraft using much different systems and control doctrines than the old Soviet airframes they normally fly. And since only the best Ukrainian pilots are selected for F-16 training, their commanders are loathe to lose them because of the gaps they leave in the ranks of experienced pilots.

Despite all the problems, Ukraine is still welcoming the addition of F-16s, particularly their longer-range radars and flexibility and the fear factor they will instill in opposing Russian pilots.

Becca Wasser, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security, told the Post it makes sense for the Ukrainians to integrate the F-16s slowly.

“If you have this exquisite capability, are you going to use it immediately, knowing that there’s a greater risk of it being expended or are you going to withhold it and use it so it has broader strategic value?” Wasser said.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post Ukraine to Use First F-16s Cautiously appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The first-of-its-kind competition, dubbed “Ramstein 1v1,” challenged combat pilots from the U.S., U.K., Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, and Germany.

The meeting was assembled in light of Russian ground gains in Ukraine during the third year of the war that rages at “NATO’s doorstep,” the Air Force Times reported. The allied nations’ air forces envision a need to sharpen air-to-air combat skills as tensions with Russia and China threatened to boil over to a shooting war that would put some of the world’s most advanced air forces head-to-head for the first time in decades.

Aircraft on the ramp at Ramstein included U.S.-built F-35A Lightnings, F-16 Fighting Falcons, F/A-18s, and A-4 Skyhawks, as well as Eurofighter Typhoons and French Dassault Rafales.

“Basic fighter maneuvering is a foundational skill set for fighter pilots,” Lieutenant Colonel Michael Loringer, U.S. Air Force-Europe (USAFE) chief of weapons and tactics, said in a statement. “It tests a pilot’s reaction time, physical stamina, and situational awareness. There is no better way to build trust in a pilot’s aircraft or a pilot’s skills than to engage one-on-one.”

“We don’t want to go to war with Russia, and I don’t think they want to go to war with us, either,” USAFE Commander General James Hecker told the Air Force Times last July. “But we need to make sure that we have the forces capable of deterring them so that nothing bad will happen.”

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post Air Force-Led Exercise in Europe Aims to Sharpen Air-to-Air Combat Skills appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

For most of its first century the RCAF has generally punched above its weight in terms of capability and influence, playing a major role in World War II and in Cold War defense of North America. Although it has struggled with procurement and personnel issues in the last 20 years, the RCAF is currently on a massive rebuilding program. It has ordered 88 F-35s, 16 P-8 Poseidons and nine A330 transport/tankers and is overhauling its flight training division. It is also creating a drone squadron with 11 MQ-9B Reapers to be deployed at three bases.

• READ MORE: Canada Pledges $60 Million for Ukraine F-16s

“As we continue to face threats to global stability, the RCAF is more important than ever. That is why the Government of Canada has invested $44 billion over the past 16 months to provide the RCAF with 138 new or refurbished aircraft—from a new fleet of fighter jets to new multi-mission aircraft,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement. “This strategic investment is the largest recapitalization of the RCAF in a generation, and it will ensure that the RCAF is well positioned to contribute to operations at home and abroad for decades to come.”

The RCAF’s air demonstration teams, the Snowbirds, and the F-18 demo team are now training for the coming airshow season. The Snowbirds will perform at EAA AirVenture in July, and the F-18 is now being painted in commemorative livery for its shows across Canada and the U.S.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post Royal Canadian Air Force Celebrates 100 Years appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

“Sweden is leading the exercise within its territorial boundaries,” the Swedish Armed Forces said in a statement. “This exercise has been planned for a long time and is a bilateral effort between Sweden and the USA. After passing through Swedish airspace, the aircraft will join the NATO exercise Nordic Response, which is part of NATO’s Steadfast Defender series.”

The joint formation flyover, which took place between 12:40 p.m. and 1 p.m. Central European Time, was scheduled in the wake of news that Sweden was on the cusp of becoming the alliance’s newest member, according to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA). The bombers and fighters flew over Avicii Arena, Sweden’s Parliament House, Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ESSA), and Uppsala Air Base (ESCM).

WATCH: Today a B-1B Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress alongside two Swedish Gripens soared over Stockholm Sweden! #NATO
@US_EUCOM @usembsweden @AFGlobalStrike @US_STRATCOM @NATO_AIRCOM pic.twitter.com/PehB190AIW

— USAFE-AFAFRICA (@HQUSAFEAFAF) March 6, 2024

• READ MORE: U.S. Air Force B-1s Train with Swedish Fighters

“The strong and enduring bond between the United States and Sweden, rooted in mutual interests and shared values, is poised to reach new heights,” General James Hecker, commander of USAFE-AFAFRICA and NATO Allied Air Command, said in a statement. “As Sweden prepares to join the NATO alliance as its 32nd member, we eagerly anticipate deepening our collaboration with our Swedish allies. Initiatives like this joint flyover are just the beginning, as we work together to advance international stability and security.” 

According to reports, that bond will deepen imminently.

“Monday is the time,” when at lunchtime Sweden’s flag will be raised at NATO Headquarters in Brussels as a celebratory marker for its inclusion, Swedish TV4 Nyheterna said Wednesday.

• READ MORE: Italy to Train Sweden’s Fighter Pilots

Sweden’s formal NATO membership, however, could perhaps come online as soon as Thursday, according to Politico. “The exact time of entry depends on Hungary’s pace of registering its confirmation of Sweden’s bid in Washington,” Politico reported.

Sweden’s military capability has garnered a warm welcome from NATO, which said the country’s joining comes at a “crucial time” amid heightened regional tensions.

The Stockholm flyover represents the latest joint demonstration between the U.S. and Sweden. Last week, U.S. B-1 Lancers conducted surface attack, air interdiction, and close air support scenario training with Swedish JAS 39 Gripens.

The post U.S. Air Force Bombers Fly Over Stockholm as Sweden Readies to Join NATO appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

NATO’s 50 million euro ($54.3 million) investment took five years to complete and included renovations to the base’s control tower, runways, hangars, and storage facilities. The project marks one of the alliance’s largest investments in Albania, which joined the alliance in 2009.

The airfield, which is located about 50 miles south of the country’s capital of Tirana, is set to serve Albania while also supporting NATO logistics, training and exercises.

• READ MORE: NATO Conducts ‘Find, Fix, Track, Target’ Exercise Over Poland 

The airbase’s reopening and resumption of aircraft operations was celebrated in a ceremony Monday, marking NATO’s increased footing in the region. During the event, pairs of U.S. F-16s and F-35s flew overhead while two Italian Eurofighters landed on the newly resurfaced runway. Albania, which does not operate fighter jets, participated by landing its Bayraktar TB2 drones.

“This is a base that (will add) another element of security for our Western Balkans region, which we all know that it is a region endangered from the threat and neo-imperialist ambitions of the Russian Federation,” Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama said during the event, according to a Reuters report.

• READ MORE: NATO Air Forces Conduct Aerial Combat Drills Over Estonia

Said Dylan White, NATO acting spokesperson, in a statement: “The airbase will serve as an important NATO air hub. The makeover of Kuçova Air Base is a strategic investment and shows that NATO continues to strengthen its presence in the Western Balkans, an area of strategic importance to the alliance.”

The post NATO Rehabs Albanian Base as New Air Operations Hub appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The training mission comes as Sweden is on the cusp of joining NATO.

“Sweden is leaving 200 years of neutrality and military nonalignment behind,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Friday in a Reuters report. “We are joining NATO in order to defend what we are and everything we believe in even better. We are defending our freedom, our democracy, and our values, together with others.”

• READ MORE: NATO Conducts ‘Find, Fix, Track, Target’ Exercise Over Poland

On Monday, the B-1s assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, deployed from Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden, to conduct surface attack, air interdiction, and close air support scenario training with Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters.

The joint training exercise, called “Vanguard Adler,” was conducted as part of Bomber Task Force (BTF) 24-2 and designed to integrate the Swedish fighters and U.S. bombers with joint terminal attack controllers operating in the Baltic and Arctic regions, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa said.

• READ MORE: Italy to Train Sweden’s Fighter Pilots

“This timely opportunity for our crews to exercise our collective defense capabilities with our Swedish partners, soon to be NATO Allies, in the Arctic region is incredible,” said Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Jamison, 37th Bomb Squadron director of operations and BTF 24-2 lead. “It demonstrates our ironclad commitment to our partners and allies, demonstrates our expansive reach, and sends a strong deterrent message to potential adversaries.”  

• READ MORE: Latvia to Spearhead Drone Coalition to Bolster Ukraine 

Sweden’s military capability has garnered a warm welcome from NATO, which says the country joining as the alliance’s 32nd member comes at a “crucial time” amid heightened regional tensions.

“Looking forward to welcoming JAS-39 Gripen as NATO fighter jets,” NATO Air Command said on X, formerly Twitter.

Looking forward to welcoming JAS-39 Gripen as #NATO fighter jets pic.twitter.com/QD4QFP5ZAx

— NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) February 26, 2024

The post U.S. Air Force B-1s Train with Swedish Fighters appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The cargo aircraft—one of RNoAF’s four C-130J-30s to be retrofitted with the Block 8.1 software and hardware expansion upgrades—was ferried from Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, to Gardermoen Air Station, Norway (ENGM), where the service’s fleet of Super Hercules aircraft are based.

Between 2008 and 2012, RNoAF received a fleet of five Super Hercules airlifters, but one was later lost in a crash.

• READ MORE: Georgia ANG Takes Delivery of First C-130J-30 Super Hercules 

According to Lockheed Martin, the upgraded version of the stretch variant of the C-130J, which boasts an additional 15 feet of cargo space, will increase RNoAF’s interoperability in the Nordic region. The aircraft is capable of supporting personnel and equipment transport, cold weather operations, aeromedical airlift, and special operations.

The Block 8.1 upgrades include  a new flight management system that complies with CNS/ATM mandates and features vertical navigation with coupled auto throttle, civil GPS, ground power modes, updated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), CNS/ATM data link, and enhanced intercommunication, , approach, and landing systems.

• READ MORE: NATO Conducts ‘Find, Fix, Track, Target’ Exercise Over Poland

“Norway’s C-130J-30 fleet is a national asset with tremendous regional reach and impact, supporting critical missions with NATO, European Union, and global Super Hercules partners,” said Danya Trent, vice president of international programs for the air mobility and maritime missions at Lockheed Martin. “As security demands increase, the Royal Norwegian Air Force C-130J-30 fleet must always be prepared to support any mission requirement. The Block 8.1 upgrade ensures Norway’s Super Hercules fleet is mission-ready at any given time, delivering unprecedented reach, protection, and connection.”

• READ MORE: Philippine Air Force to Buy 3 C-130J-30 Airlifters

More than 540 C-130J Super Hercules airlifters have been delivered to operators across 22 countries, Lockheed Martin said.

The post Royal Norwegian Air Force Receives Upgraded Super Hercules appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The U.S. fighter jets and tanker deployed from bases in the U.K., according to NATO.

• READ MORE: NATO Air Forces Conduct Aerial Combat Drills Over Estonia

As part of the drill conducted Thursday, the multinational aircraft conducted a “find, fix, track, and target”—or F2T2—exercise.

“F2T2 exercises require participating members to execute multidomain operations by employing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets to locate and communicate potential target locations to other aircraft with capabilities to strike the targets in an established time limit,” NATO said.

The aerial drill took place as concern grows that NATO’s eastern flank could potentially face conflict with Russia within the next decade. Last week, Estonia Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said during a speech in Poland that intelligence indicates that allied forces have about three or four years to strengthen defenses before Russia prepares a “test for NATO,” the Associated Press reported. 

• READ MORE: NATO to Modernize AWACS Fleet with Boeing E-7A

The Boeing E-3A Sentry surveillance aircraft, known as NATO’s “eyes in the sky,” is part of the alliance’s fleet of 14 surveillance aircraft expected to retire around 2035. The aircraft is based on a Boeing 707 airliner and features a distinctive radar dome mounted on the fuselage. Flown by a three aircrew and staffed with a dozen AWACS operators, the aircraft conducts a range of missions, from air policing to evacuation operations and a spectrum of wartime missions.

• READ MORE: NATO Says Allied Forces Intercepted More Than 300 Russian Aircraft in 2023

The aircraft is capable of a total surveillance area of around 120,000 square miles, which is around the size of Poland.

Last year, NATO selected the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail to modernize the AWACS fleet, and the first of those aircraft are expected to be operational by 2031..

Watch: NATO’s ‘Eyes in the Sky’ Explained

The post NATO Conducts ‘Find, Fix, Track, Target’ Exercise Over Poland appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The training comes as more warnings emerged that NATO’s eastern flank faces potential conflict with Russia within the next decade. Speaking this week in Poland, Estonia Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that allied forces have about three or four years to strengthen its defenses before Russia prepares a “test for NATO,” the Associated Press reported. Estonia,  Lithuania, and Latvia are thought to be potential targets should Russia attempt an attack on an allied country.

• READ MORE: NATO Says Allied Forces Intercepted More Than 300 Russian Aircraft in 2023

On Tuesday, French and Polish aircrews conducting Baltic air policing for NATO began a two-day exercise of training sorties over Estonia, according to NATO air command.  

During the exercise, Polish F-16 fighter jets and a Polish Air Force C-295 tactical transport aircraft departed from Ämari Air Base in Harjumaa, Estonia, and were joined by French Mirage 2000 fighter jets for “2v2” aerial combat maneuvers. The French fighters are stationed at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania.

“The training enables our pilots to integrate with their French counterparts,” said Lieutenant Colonel Michał Zloch, commander of the Polish F-16 detachment. “Beside ensuring 24/7 readiness for air policing sorties for the alliance over the three Baltic states, we are glad that training opportunities like these arise, and we regularly exploit them also with our French and Belgian colleagues. Moreover, such integrated training is also beneficial for aircraft controllers who make sure the training is conducted safely and professionally.”

Aerial Refueling Practice

This week, Czech Air Force fighter pilots in JAS-39 Gripens also trained in aerial refueling from a multinational tanker for the first time—a maneuver designed to extend the fighters’ operational range. 

During the dry-refueling, air-to-air training exercise, the pilots practiced the dry contact procedure with an A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) from NATO’s Multinational MRTT Unit based at Eindhoven Air Base, Netherlands.

“The maneuver requires a high degree of precision as the aircraft travels at a speed over 500 [kph], and the brim of the drogue is only several dozen centimeters from the jet’s cockpit,” NATO Air Command said in a statement.

• READ MORE: NATO Launches Exercise with 90,000 Troops, Largest in Decades

The experience builds upon the Gripen pilots’ air-to-air refueling training with German A-400M, Italian KC-767, Swedish C-130 Hercules, and U.S. Air Force KC-135 tankers, according to a Czech Air Force official.

“Refueling with this aircraft is not significantly different from other tankers as the procedures are standardized and so is the refueling device,” Lieutenant Colonel Vladimír Málek, commander of 211th Tactical Squadron, said in a statement. “However, this aircraft is the largest of all the aircraft for which we are qualified. This slightly changes the perspective when you move around the tanker.” 

The post NATO Air Forces Conduct Aerial Combat Drills Over Estonia appeared first on FLYING Magazine.