JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- A Consolidated PBY flying boat prepares for flight at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2020. The aircraft was participating in an arial parade as part of the Official 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II Commemoration. World War II remains a historic reminder of how the dedicated resolve of allies with a common purpose and shared vision built proven partnerships. Today the U.S. military continues to work with allies and partners in maintaining a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
(Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Melvin J Gonzalvo)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 29, 2020) F/A -18E Super Hornet attached to the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 takes off from the flight deck of the Navy?s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Tarleton)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Garret "Toro" Schmitz, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team pilot and commander, flies at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Aug. 20, 2020. Schmitz utilized the afterburner of the F-16 for a fast takeoff during the Viper Demonstration performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Ingold)

A Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 fighter aircraft flies beside a B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, in support of the Bomber Task Force Europe mission, Allied Sky, on Aug. 28, 2020. Allied Sky was a single-day mission overflying 30 NATO nations and part of the routine Bomber Task Force missions that have occurred in the European theater of operations since 2018 with more than 200 sorties coordinated with Allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Burt Traynor)

A Royal Danish Air Force F-16A Fighting Falcon flies beside a B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, as part of a Bomber Task Force Europe mission on Aug. 28, 2020. During the single-day mission, Allied Sky, six U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers flew over all 30 NATO nations in Europe and North America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Burt Traynor)

A Polish Mikoyan-Gureich MiG-29A integrates with a U.S. B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, as part of a Bomber Task Force Europe mission on August 28, 2020. This mission, titled Allied Sky, was the first time bombers flew over 30 NATO nations in Europe and North America in a single-day and is intended to demonstrate NATO solidarity, enhance readiness and provide training opportunities aimed at enhancing interoperability for all participating aircrews from the U.S. and NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

Two French Dassault Mirage and Two RAF FGR4 Typhoon fighter jets integrate with a U.S. B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, in support of the Bomber Task Force Europe mission, Allied Sky, on August 28, 2020. Training with our NATO allies and theater partner nations contributes to enhanced resiliency and interoperability and enable to build enduring relationships necessary to confront the broad range of global challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 27, 2020) A P-8 Poseidon from the ?Golden Eagles? of Patrol Squadron (VP) 9 performs a flyby over Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson is en route to San Diego after completing a 17-month scheduled docking planned incremental availability in Bremerton, Washington, during which the ship underwent a complete restoration and a system retrofit to accommodate F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter mission capabilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josiah J. Kunkle)

Saab?s offering to Finland for the HX fighter procurement includes both the fighter jet Gripen E/F and the GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control System.

As part of Gripen?s E/F Electronic Warfare capability, Saab now reveals the development of a new decoy missile system, the Lightweight Air-launched Decoy Missile. The decoy missile and the new Electronic Attack Jammer Pod, which Saab started flight testing in 2019, will ensure that Finnish pilots will be protected from enemy radars and missiles.

The new decoy missile will be a highly capable stand-in jammer for the most demanding missions. It will act as a force multiplier as it reduces the number of missiles and aircraft required to complete a mission. The decoy missile can jam or create false targets for acquisition, tracking, fire control and airborne radars.

?Our offering to Finland, combining Gripen E/F and GlobalEye as force multipliers, will protect Finland?s people and borders, by delivering both comprehensive situational awareness and a true deterrence effect.

?The decoy missile, that we present today, will constitute a strong addition to Gripen E/F?s built-in electronic attack capabilities.The payload of the new decoy missile is to a large extent developed in Finland and this will strengthen our offer to Finland even further,? says Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab Business Area Aeronautics.

The development of the new decoy missile means that Saab will expand its Saab Technology Centre in Tampere, Finland with more highly skilled employees. Saab has already established a deep technical partnership with Aalto University, where more than 10 research projects are ongoing within the areas of advanced sensors and artificial intelligence.

Six CF-18 Hornets lifted off from 3 wing Bagotville on Monday bound for Romania for the 2020 rotation of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada?s contribution to NATO assurance and deterrence measures.

During the mission, Canadian fighter pilots will hold quick reaction alert and fly training missions together with For?ele Aeriene Rom?ne, as well as other regional allies, to augment Romanian air policing capabilities.

Three U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress?, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, approach a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to RAF Mildenhall, England, over the North Sea, Aug. 31, 2020. Currently deployed to RAF Fairford, England, the B-52s integrated with NATO allies and regional partners during several missions, ensuring interoperability, enhancing readiness and building relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shanice Williams-Jones)

A Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Rafale takes off before performing a Qatar-U.S. Air Forces Central Command Friendship Event at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 24, 2020. This flight was conducted to continue building military-to-military relationships with the QEAF and familiarize them with the U.S. Air Force?s F-15E prior to their F-15QA arrival. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Parsons)

Qatari Emiri Air Force's (QEAF) Mirage 2000s and Rafales fly in formation over Doha, Qatar, alongside U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-15E Strike Eagles during the Qatar-U.S. Air Forces Central Command Friendship Event, Aug. 24, 2020. This flight was conducted to continue building military-to-military relationships with the QEAF and familiarize them with the USAF's F-15E prior to their F-15QA arrival. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Justin Parsons)


The sun sets over Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, as Airmen work on the flight line Aug. 12, 2020. The 436th Airlift Wing generates global strategic airlift with both C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17A Globemaster III. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Quail)

01.09.2020.
Participants of the international competition "Aviadarts-2020" conducted the first live firing. The pilots carried out bombing, rocket launches and shooting from aircraft guns.

The best results of the first attempt were in fighter aviation-Su-30sm crews from the Rostov region, in assault aviation-Su-25 crews from the Republic of Belarus, in army aviation-Ka-52 crews from the Pskov region.

The final stage of the competition "Aviadarts-2020" with the combat use of air weapons against ground targets is planned for September 1 and will be held at the Dubrovichi training ground, where 60 unique ground targets have been prepared. On the territory of the training ground, a target environment has been formed from 12 types of targets, including tactical, shooting, bombing and radar targets.

According to the results of the first four stages of the competition (aerial reconnaissance, piloting equipment, navigation, search and rescue), the Russian team is confidently leading.

The competition will end on September 5, 2020.
(Photos courtesy of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation)

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 1, 2020 ? Boeing [NYSE: BA] is delivering new technologies and performance improvements to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) with the Block II Chinook helicopter. Boeing?s Philadelphia team recently delivered the first MH-47G Block II Chinook to SOCOM on time.

?This delivery marks a major step for the Chinook program,? said Andy Builta, vice president and H-47 program manager. ?The new Chinook will give U.S. Special Operations Forces significantly more capability for extremely challenging missions and will enable them to conduct those missions on the future battlefield.?

The company is on contract for 23 more MH-47G Block II Chinooks, having signed a contract with SOCOM in July.

Boeing has more than 4,600 employees in Pennsylvania supporting Chinook, the V-22 Osprey, MH-139A Grey Wolf and a number of services and engineering efforts. Including suppliers and vendors, Boeing?s activities support an estimated 16,000 jobs in Pennsylvania.

OAHU, Hawaii -- World War II era warbirds fly in formation over Oahu Sept. 1, 2020, for the 75th Anniversary of the End of WWII Commemoration. The bravery and heroism by all allies during World War II continues to resonate with U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific ? who uphold the commitment to allies and partners.
(Photos by Lt. Janice Leister.)


A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., is parked on the flight line at RAF Fairford, England, Aug. 28, 2020. The U.S. remains committed to our allies and partners and will decisively respond to threats in spite of the current COVID-19 crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jesse Jenny)

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. ? Sept. 2, 2020 ? Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has successfully completed the critical design review (CDR) milestone for the Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) / Inertial Navigation System (INS)-Modernization, or EGI-M, program.

?The completion of this milestone is a key step in bringing necessary navigation capability upgrades to our warfighters,? said Brandon White, vice president, navigation and positioning systems, Northrop Grumman. ?With its open architecture and government ownership of the key internal interfaces, EGI-M?s next generation navigation solution allows the government to quickly insert emerging capabilities from 3rd parties while maintaining cyber security and airworthiness.?

EGI-M provides state-of-the-art airborne navigation capabilities with an open architecture that enables rapid responses to future threats. The fully modernized system integrates new M-Code capable GPS receivers, provides interoperability with civil controlled air space, and implements a new resilient time capability.

Northrop Grumman?s unique, modular platform interface design enables backwards compatibility with existing platform footprint and interfaces (A-Kits), allowing current platforms to easily integrate and deploy Northrop Grumman?s EGI-M solution. At the same time, EGI-M?s modular software / hardware, coupled with government ownership of key interfaces, allows EGI-M to benefit from rapid upgrades with best of breed software and hardware technologies now and in the future.

Northrop Grumman has been on contract for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of EGI-M since November 2018. The CDR milestone marks the completion of detailed hardware and software design of the EGI-M product line. The launch platforms for Northrop Grumman?s EGI-M are F-22 and E-2D. Additional fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms across Department of Defense and allied forces have already selected Northrop Grumman?s EGI-M as their future navigation solution.

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense, and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology, and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products, and services.

A C-40C with the 932nd Airlift Wing conducts touch and go?s during a scheduled training flight at MidAmerica airport, Mascoutah, Illinois, September 1, 2020. Touch and go training is conducted to practice landing/takeoff, after the first takeoff they circle around and continue the cycle of landing and taking off to utilize their flight training time effeciently. (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman Brooke Spenner)


An F-15C Eagle assigned to the 67th Fighter Squadron takes off at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 3, 2020. F-15 Eagles diverted to Yokota AB due to Typhoon Maysak. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

A B-52 Stratofortress from the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota receives fuel from a KC-135 from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England a KC-135 around the coast of Norway during a during a strategic bomber mission on Sept. 2, 2020. Bomber missions enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency, and validate our always ready global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Wisher)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, flies overhead at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Sept. 1, 2020. The 48th Fighter Wing conducts routine training in order to maintain combat readiness and safeguard U.S. national interests and the collective defense of allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessi Monte)

An F-15 Eagle assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, sits on the flight line at Bradley Air National Guard Base, East Granby, Connecticut, Sept. 3, 2020. The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Tucker)

BAE Systems and Leonardo have been awarded a contract to develop the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), the European Common Radar System Mark 2(ECRS Mk2) radar, to a standard ready to be integrated on to RAF Typhoons.

It will sustain more than 600 highly skilled jobs across the country, including more than 300 at Leonardo's site in Edinburgh, over 100 electronic warfare specialists at the company?s site in Luton, and 120 engineers at BAE Systems' site in Lancashire.

The ECRS2 is a multi-functional array (MFA) that will give UK Typhoons a world-leading Electronic Warfare capability, in addition to traditional radar functions, including wide band Electronic Attack.

It will equip RAF pilots with the ability to locate, identify and suppress enemy air defences using high-powered jamming. They can engage targets whilst beyond the reach of threats - even when they?re looking in another direction - and operate inside the range of opposing air defences, remaining fully protected throughout.

This game-changing capability will replace the mechanically-scanning radar that RAF Typhoons are currently equipped with and will ensure the UK retains the freedom to deliver air power wherever and whenever it is needed.

It also enables the Typhoons to link up with future data-driven weapons to combat rapidly evolving air defences, ensuring that UK Typhoons can continue to dominate the battlespace for years to come.

Andrea Thompson, Managing Director Europe & International for BAE Systems? Air sector, said:
"This capability will allow Typhoon to take its place in the future battlespace for decades to come, maturing key technologies for future combat air systems and ensuring interoperability. As well as securing highly skilled jobs, it will sustain the key skills needed to keep the UK at the forefront of the global Combat Air sector. We look forward to continuing to work alongside the Eurofighter nations and our industry partners to ensure Typhoon delivers the needs of today and answers the challenges of tomorrow.?
Mark Hamilton, Senior Vice-President Electronic Warfare, Leonardo, said:

?This contract is great news for the UK, which will get the world?s most capable fighter radar, and great news for British engineering. Inventing, developing and building advanced technology here in the UK allows us to understand and meet the specific requirements of our Armed Forces and to secure export orders all around the world, boosting the whole UK economy.?

The new radar will be based on Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology and will provide game-changing capabilities based on a revolutionary MFA.

It has significantly more Transmit-Receive Elements than other radars, making Mk2 the most capable fighter AESA radar in the world, maintaining the same power and precision of traditional radars but also enabling the simultaneous operation of its wide-band Electronic Warfare functionality.

BAE Systems, the UK?s prime contractor for the Typhoon, will integrate the new sensor which will be developed by Leonardo, the UK?s defence electronics champion.

Both companies are currently working as part of a four-nation development programme alongside Eurofighter consortium partners in Germany, Spain and Italy on a baseline version of the AESA radar. The ECRS Mk2 is a completely new approach designed to meet the operational needs of the RAF and future export customers.

The UK's commitment follows a similar commitment from Germany and Spain to deliver their own national requirements for an AESA radar.

September 3, 2020 ? Ottawa ? National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Air Task Force ? Romania (ATF-Romania) received their readiness certification from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during a certification ceremony held at the Romanian Air Force Base Mihail Kogalniceanu. This certification allows the Task Force to officially begin their enhanced Air Policing mission under Operation REASSURANCE in Romania on Saturday, 5 September.

During this mission, the detachment from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), consisting of approximately 135 personnel and six CF-18 Hornet fighter jets, will help secure the skies over Romania until December 2020. The Air Task Force will work with the Romanian Air Force under NATO command and control as part of Operation REASSURANCE, which is Canada?s contribution to NATO assurance and deterrence measures.

Protection measures against COVID-19 were taken during the certification ceremony to ensure the health and safety of all present. While conducting their mission, the Air Task Force members are working alongside our regional partners and Allies in Romania, and taking all the necessary precautions to minimize the risk to the safety of our personnel and the local population. Despite the limitations of operating in a COVID-19 environment, the CAF have remained agile and able to conduct successful missions around the world, all while adhering to both domestic and host nation COVID-19 safety requirements.

An HC-130J Combat King II aircraft positions to refuel two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters over the Atlantic Ocean Sept. 3, 2020. The aircraft are assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing located on Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Air Force rescue is the only DoD entity specifically organized, trained and equipped to conduct personnel recovery operations into hostile or denied areas as a primary mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kelly Goonan)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 4, 2020) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Navy?s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erica Bechard)

An AH64 Apache Gunship assigned to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade fires a 2.75 inch rocket during the Combined Arms Live Fire Training Exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sep. 3, 2020.
U.S. Army Europe ensures the consistent availability of combat-credible U.S.
Army forces in support of our allies and partners and the stability and
security of Europe. To do so, our personnel and equipment must remain at a
high level of readiness. (US Army photos by Sgt. Thomas Stubblefield)


F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters flown by the Wake Island Avengers of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211), Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing are parked at Royal Air Force Station Marham, United Kingdom (UK), on 3 September 2020. During the next few months the Marines and Sailors of the Wake Island Avengers will seek unexplored levels of interoperability with their Royal Navy and Royal Air Force counterparts.
(Photos by 1st Lt. Zachary Bodner)


On August 30, four F3-R standard Rafales from the 30th Fighter Squadron, the latest version of this combat aircraft, arrived at France?s forward air base in the Levant. They replace the four two-seater Rafale of the 4th fighter Squadron, which returned to France on Thursday, Sept. 3 after having carried out more than 250 sorties and logging nearly 1,300 flight hours.

French aircraft based in the Levant and the United Arab Emirates are continuing their actions against Daesh, within the Coalition. This week, the aircraft engaged in Operation Chammal carried out 18 sorties.

ORLANDO, Florida, Sep. 4, 2020 ? The U.S. Army recently awarded LONGBOW Limited Liability Company (LBL), a joint venture of Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), four Foreign Military Sales contracts to provide the AH-64E Apache helicopter AN/APG-78 LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR) to Morocco, Netherlands, UAE and India Army.

?The LBL team is excited to bring Morocco, Netherlands and India Army into the LONGBOW FCR user community, and to update UAE with new capabilities, as the ever-evolving missions of our U.S. allies will benefit from our precision engagement capabilities,? said Jim Messina, LBL president and Lockheed Martin program director. ?The LONGBOW radar remains a relevant and important system for the missions Apache aircrews fly.?

The addition of Morocco, the Netherlands and India Army expands the LONGBOW customer base to include 16 foreign militaries and 14 nations. UAE is updating from the AH-64D to the AH-64E aircraft. These contracts are a direct result of the five-year production requirements contract the U.S. Department of Defense awarded to LBL in 2016.

?As LONGBOW Joint Venture marks 35 years of successful partnership, the addition of these customers is a testament to the deep experience and dedication the team brings to advance the FCR system to support our customer?s missions,? said Shalini Gupta, LBL vice president and Northrop Grumman director for LONGBOW programs.

When coupled with the Apache?s unique system of sensors approach, LONGBOW FCR gives aircrews the capability to scan large areas at long ranges to identify threats and targets for prosecution with a low probability of being detected. If a target is identified, the data can be handed off to a missile and launch system, or if a target needs further identification and classification, the data is handed off to the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight (M-TADS) system for increased visual identification.

LBL is now providing increased FCR capabilities with the Apache AH-64E Version 6 helicopter. Version 6 FCR software enhancements provide new operational modes and capabilities, including maritime, single target track, and 360-degree surveillance mode, as well as extended detection range against land, air and sea targets.
(U.S. Army photo by Christoph Koppers)

A Ukraine SU-27 integrates with a U.S. B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, during a Bomber Task Force Europe mission, Sept. 4, 2020. Operations and engagements with our allies and partners demonstrate and strengthen our shared commitment to global security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)


A U.S. B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, is preparing for a preflight check before a Bomber Task Force Europe mission, Sept. 4, 2020. Operations and engagements with our allies and partners demonstrate and strengthen our shared commitment to global security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Garret "Toro" Schmitz, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot, pulls to the vertical Sept. 6, 2020, Kennewick, Wash. The F-16 performed at the Tri-City Water Follies drive-in air show alongside the F-35 Demonstration Team and the A-10 Demonstration Team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kip Sumner)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kristin ?Beo? Wolfe, F-35 Demonstration Team commander and pilot repositions after performing a Heritage Flight Sep 4, 2020, Kennewick, Wash. The F-35 Demo Team headlined the Tri-City Water Follies drive-in air show and performed alongside the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team and the A-10 Warthog Demonstration Team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kip Sumner)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Cody ?ShIV? Wilton, A-10 Demonstration Team commander and pilot, flies alongside a P-51 Mustang in a two-ship heritage formation flight during the Tri-City Water Follies Drive-In Airshow at Pasco, Washington, Sept. 4, 2020. The drive-in style airshow allows the community to experience and airshow experience while still taking part in social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristine Legate)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 31, 2020) An EA-18G Growler, left, attached to the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141, and an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, prepare for launch on the flight deck of the Navy?s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Erica Bechard)

The French detachment in Estonia gave way to the German detachment on September 1, 2020. The traditional hand over / takeover ceremony was held in the presence of the Air Defense and Air Operations Commander (CDAOA) , Corps General (GCA) Vincent Cousin.
For four months, French Mirage 2000 fighters have contributed to the monitoring and protection of Baltic airspace, while using their presence in Estonia to train with NATO allies and neighboring nations. They will have made 684 flight hours in 479 outings.
(photo courtesy of Armee de l'air)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 7, 2020) An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 connects to a catapult on the flight deck of the Navy?s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samantha Jetzer)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept 4, 2020. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, demonstrating U.S. Air Force Central Commands' posture to compete, deter and win against state and non-state actors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Duncan C. Bevan)

A forward area refueling specialist with the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron refuels a Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon during a training exercise at Rygge Air Station, Norway, August 26, 2020. Integration with the Norwegian Air Force allowed the 352d Special Operations Wing to enhance and strengthen bonds with our partner nation and further secure the strategic high-north region. The exercise provided training for 352d Special Operations Wing members on capabilities such as personnel recovery, forward area refueling point, aerial refueling, maritime craft delivery system, and fast rope training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Washburn)

Moroccan F-16's integrate with a U.S. B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, during a Bomber Task Force mission, Sept. 7, 2020. Operations and engagements with our allies and partners demonstrate and strengthen our shared commitment to global security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

Capt Dan Lengyel of New Braunfels, Texas flies an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter in the United Kingdom on 09 September, 2020. Lengyel is assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and is participating in a deployment for training to Royal Air Force Station Marham. During the next few months the Marines and Sailors of the ?Wake Island Avengers? will validate their digital interoperability with Squadron 617.
(Photo by 1st Lt. Zachary Bodner)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 8, 2020) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115, launches from the flight deck of the Navy?s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erica Bechard)

F-15E Strike Eagles from the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base are in-air refueled by a KC-46 Pegasus from the 916th Air Refueling Wing in the sky over North Carolina, Sept. 3, 2020. The flight was the first time the KC-46 in-air refueled the F-15E since arriving on base this year. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Barrera)




Tokyo, 9 September 2020 - Nakanihon Air, one of Japan?s largest helicopter operators, has ordered one H215 heavy helicopter to shore up its capabilities for utility and aerial work.

?We are looking forward to receiving Airbus? mission-proven H215 to support our wide-ranging activities in Japan,? said Taku Shibata, President of Nakanihon Air. ?We believe the H215 offers the enhanced precision and stability we require, which will not only boost mission readiness but will also build up our fleet capabilities. We are happy to further this partnership with the Airbus Helicopters team in Japan that understands our needs and has supported our operations for many years.?

Currently operating 45 Airbus helicopters, Nakanihon Air specialises in activities covering emergency medical services, electronic news gathering, as well as passenger and goods transportation in Japan. The air services company also runs an Airbus-approved maintenance centre for H135 helicopters, while major inspections of the operator?s existing Super Puma fleet are performed at the manufacturer?s Kobe maintenance facility.

?We are pleased to support Nakanihon Air?s growing business. We thank our customer for their continued confidence in our long-lasting relationship as demonstrated by this first H215 order,? said Guillaume Leprince, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Japan. ?Thanks to a 4-axis dual duplex digital autopilot system in an intuitive glass cockpit, the H215 provides enhanced mission efficiency and safety while simplifying crew workload. We are confident that it will be an asset to Nakanihon Air, offering the excellent performance they expect.?

The twin-engine, heavy-lift H215 is a member of the Super Puma helicopter family, known for its high availability rate, performance, and competitive operating cost. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, the rotorcraft consists of two versions -- one tailored for multi-role operations and the other for aerial work and utility missions.

There are currently 28 helicopters of the Super Puma family in Japan flown by civil operators, parapublic operators, and the Ministry of Defense for various search and rescue missions, coastguard operations, fire-fighting, as well as Private and Business Aviation and commercial air transport missions.

On 27 August 2020, French aircraft (Mirage 2000, Rafale and C-135 FR) and RAF (Typhoon, Voyager) flew alongside a B-52 H of the USAF for a unique version of one of their regular workouts called "Bomber Task Force Europe "
This type of training strengthens our relationships and allows us to be ready to operate in coalition, anytime and anywhere ", said General Jeffrey L. Harrigian, USAF Commander in Europe and Air Force in Africa.
(Photos courtesy of the Armee de l'air)

A U.S. B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, searches for the U.S.S Roosevelt during a Bomber Task Force Europe mission, Sept. 8, 2020. The U.S. remains committed to all missions in all domains with our allies and partners and will decisively respond to threats in spite of the current COVID-19 crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

Members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds arrive at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, Sept. 9, 2020. The Thunderbirds, based out of Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., are the Air Force?s premier aerial demonstration team, performing at air shows and special events worldwide. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Terry L. Atwell)

Air Force Two taxies on the east ramp at the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Sept. 9, 2020, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Vice President of the United States of America, Michael Pence, is scheduled to participate in a local campaign event. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Bryan Hoover)

A KC-135 ?Stratotanker? aircraft assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, approaches the runway for landing at the Pittsburgh International Airport, Sept. 8, 2020, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A KC-135 can transfer more fuel in eight minutes than a gas station could pump in 24 hours. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Bryan Hoover)

An AH-64 Apache Longbow from A Co, 1-3 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion launches to provide aerial live fire in support of German joint terminal attack controller recertifications on Sep. 8 at Baumholder Training Area, Germany. (U.S. Army photos by Maj. Robert Fellingham)

An MQ-9 Reaper, assigned to the 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron, armed with an AIM-9X missile sits on the flightline, Sept. 3, 2020, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The MQ-9 successfully employed a live air-to-air test of an AIM-9X Block 2 missile against a target BQM-167 drone simulating a cruise missile. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Haley Stevens)

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, sit on the flightline in support of Valiant Shield 2020 at Andersen AFB, Guam, Sept. 11, 2020. Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Divine Cox)



An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, departs from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, after receiving fuel during exercise Point Blank over the North Sea, Sept 10, 2020. The KC-135 aircraft supported allied and partner-nation aircraft in sharpening combat readiness, increasing tactical proficiency, and demonstrating a collective commitment to regional security during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Barron)

A B-52H Stratofortress pilot, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, looks out at crew chiefs outside preparing the aircraft for departure from RAF Fairford, England on Sep 10, 2020. The strategic bomber missions provide theater familiarization for aircrew members and opportunities for U.S. integration with NATO allies and regional partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Burt Traynor)

An F-16D Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, lands at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Sept. 9, 2020. The 510th FS is conducting close air support training with the 321st Special tactics Squadron, the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery and the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron to improve combat capabilities and interoperability between allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessi Monte)

11.09.2020
The aircraft involved in training with the control bodies and air defense duty officers of the joint air defense system of the CIS member states returned to their permanent airfields.

14 aviation regiments of the Russian Aerospace Forces on MiG-29, Su-27, Su-30SM, MiG-31 aircraft and a long-range aviation unit on Tu-160 and Tu-22M3 strategic missile carriers took part in the training of the joint air defense system of the CIS member states. The airfields of Khotilovo, Kursk, Besovets, Engels, Bolshoe Savino, Tolmachevo and others were involved. The aviation of the Russian air bases in Kyrgyzstan and Armenia was also involved.

During the exercise, the crews of four MiG-31 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the air defense forces of Kazakhstan worked out the actions of the air defense forces on duty on supersonic and stratospheric targets.

Mutual maneuver executed the crews of MiG-29 aircraft of the air forces and air defense of Belarus and Su-30SM of Russian Aerospace Forces from airfields in Baranavichy (Belarus) and Kursk (Russian Federation).

The crews of the MiG-29, Su-27 and Su-30SM aircraft worked out issues of preventing violations of the state border and actions to prevent the hijacking of an aircraft.

To build up the radar field, an A-50 aircraft was used, which performed the task from the Tolmachevo airfield.

During the training, more than 20 different issues aimed at strengthening the air borders of the CIS countries were worked out. Seven Commonwealth countries took part in the training: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The training involved more than 60 aircraft and helicopters (MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-30SM, Su-27, Su-25, Su-34, Su-24, Tu-160, Tu-22M3, A-50).

Aircraft from the Royal Air Force, United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Air Force have been conducting large scale exercises over the North Sea.

Exercise Point Blank is a regular quarterly exercise based in the UK, conducted by the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force. For this exercise both RAF and United State Marine Corps F-35Bs jets are taking part as the first step in their training ready for deployment on HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force sent their F-35As and there are also two USAF F-16 squadrons that are based in Italy taking part plus US B. The gathering of so many aircraft allows large-scale training missions to be conducted.

The exercise is the first flying training USMC Squadron has carried out following their arrival in the UK at RAF Marham and follows a period of isolation as a precautionary measure to combat COVID-19.

The Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth took part in the exercise to provide the ?enemy? role, this adds a significant challenge to the other exercising aircraft.