VIDEO: Australian Maritime Counter-Terrorism exercise Iron Moon 2013

Jumping out of a perfectly good C-17 (Screengrab from video). © Commonwealth of Australia

Boats and counter-terrorist special forces air dropped from a C-17, VBSS teams boarding a simulated hijacked commercial vessel by rappeling down from Blackhawks and more...

This is an awesome video from the Australian Department of Defence shot during Exercise IRON MOON 2013, a two week Maritime Counter Terrorism training exercise in the waters off Exmouth and Dampier in North West Australia. The annual exercise involved several hundred personnel from across Defence and Australian federal and state civilian agencies. The exercise is designed to enhance and validate the ADF Maritime Counter Terrorism response capability in the most realistic environment possible.

USAF F-22, F-16 and C-17 flying displays confirmed for Avalon Airshow

F-22 at 2011's Avalon Airshow. The F-22s were static only the last time they swung by the neighbourhood.

From Avalon Airshow's Facebook page:

The United States Air Force has just confirmed that its top-of-the-line fighter, the F-22 Raptor will return to Avalon for the first flying display ever seen in Australia.

Two F-22 Raptors and their teams will be attending the 2013 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition, with one of the aircraft on static display.

Major Henry 'Schadow' Schantz is the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration Team Chief and will be showcasing the aircraft's amazing maneuverability for the Airshow crowds.

The United States Air Force is once again showing its long standing support for the Avalon event and is also bringing an F-16 demonstration team (Ed: Almost certainly the PACAF F-16 display team from the 35th Fighter Wing based at Misawa, Japan) for the flying display along with a C-17 demonstration team.

VIDEO: Ex Kiwi Flag 2012 [HD]

Held at the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) base at Whenuapai, Exercise Kiwi Flag is a multilateral, tactical air mobility exercise which aims to improve the interoperability and partnership of the participating nations. The RNZAF is exercising with international air force partners on their way to the Air Force Air Show at Ohakea Air Base on Saturday 31 March. This video by the New Zealand Defence Force, gives us an insight into the exercise.

Countries involved in the exercise, which is based in Auckland are the French Armed Forces of New Caledonia (CASA CN235), Republic of Singapore Air Force (C-130H Hercules), Royal Australian Air Force (C-130J Hercules), the United States Air Force (C-17 Globemaster III) and the United States Marine Corps (KC-130J Hercules). The host nation is taking part with it's C-130H Hercules.

The exercise sees fixed wing tactical training comprising low level flying and airdrop of cargo and personnel to Kaipara and Raumai Air Weapons Range.

The exercise forms a key part of readiness training for the New Zealand Defence Force and its international partners and runs from March 24 to April 5.

Australia confirms 6th C-17; writing was already on the wall

The Australian Department of Defence has confirmed yesterday that a sixth Boeing C-17 Globemaster III will be purchased for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). But those following military aviation news the past few months will have noted that the writing was on the wall, with the DSCA notification for the sale already made in November 2011.

Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia to purchase planes; missiles from US

Looks like the region is busy shopping for arms. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of possible foreign military sales to three Asia-Pacific air forces for aircraft and missiles within the past week; with Malaysia acquiring AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, presumably for its 8 F/A-18D Hornets, while another step has been taken in the protracted Indonesian purchase of 24 refurbished and upgraded ex-USAF/ANG Block 25 F-16C/Ds and finally, Australia, with its actions showing what it thinks of the C-17 Globemaster III, is ordering a 6th aircraft, its second repeat order of the versatile transport.

Australia takes delivery of 5th C-17, carries out first RAAF KC-30 flight

Been a couple of busy days for the Royal Australian Air Force's big birds; the RAAF taking delivery from Boeing of it's fifth C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft on the 14th of September, while back home it has carried out the first flight of its new Airbus KC-30A tanker. Initial operational capability with the KC-30A is expected in late 2012.

Australia's fifth C-17 confirmed; delivery in August

Not that there was any chance of it being rejected, but Australia has signed an agreement to acquire a fifth Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifter. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) wants to expand its Amberley-based C-17 fleet as it faces an increased demand for operational and humanitarian missions.

Indian C-17 deal flies into storm

India's purchase of Boeing's C-17 transport has run into trouble with the Indian Defence Ministry wanting the United States to disclose the comparative prices at which the aircraft has been sold to other nations. It contends that the price being quoted for 10 aircraft is too high.

Qatari Mirages arrive in Crete after emergency fuel stop in Cyprus

A Qatari Air Force contingent of two Mirage 2000s and a C-17 have arrived in Crete to carry out operations enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya. The aircraft had to make an emergency divert to Cyprus after running low on fuel. Four other Mirages are due to arrive at an as-yet undetermined time.

RAF prepares to mark first decade of C-17 use

The Royal Air Force will soon complete its first 10 years of flying Boeing's C-17 transport, with its use of the type continuing to run well above planned rates. Based at Brize Norton with 99 Sqn, the RAF C-17 fleet has now logged more than 65,600 flight hours.

C-17s to be assigned to Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York

Two C-17s will arrive to begin maintenance training with the New York Air National Guard. In all eight Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transports will eventually be assigned to the NY ANG's 105th Airlift Wing at at Stewart Air National Guard Base. The C-17s will replace the unit's C-5A Galaxy transports.

Australia requests additional C-17

Defence Minister Stephen Smith has revealed that Australia has Australia has requested to purchase an additional C-17A Globemaster III transport from the United States. If approved, this will bring the RAAF's fleet to five aircraft, which will boost the Australian Defence Force's global airlift capability and improve its HADR capabilities.

A400M, KC-390 to reshape transport market

With the winding down and possibly eventual cessation of C-17 production on the horizon, Flightglobal reckons that the Airbus A400M and Embraer KC-390 are well-placed to capture the strategic airlift market. However the challenge facing both designs is the relatively niche nature of the market for large airlifters.

NTSB reviews near-collision between C-17s, 777

An American Airlines Boeing 777 and two USAF C-17 transports came within a mile of each other in the skies southwest of New York city in January, prompting a National Transportation Safety Board review of the near collision. The C-17s were bound for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

C-17s deliver largest ever Op Enduring Freedom fuel resupply

Three C-17 Globemaster IIIs carrying 120 bundles dropped the largest resupply of fuel ever to a remote military outpost in Afghanistan. Forward Operating Base Waza K'wah in Afghanistan's Paktika province is completely dependent on airdropped supplies due to poor road infrastructure and the high risk of enemy activity.

Seventh RAF C-17 arrives in England

The Royal Air Force's seventh C-17 Globemaster III airlifter at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England. The aircraft was officially delivered last Nov from Boeing's facility in Long Beach, Calif., and underwent modifications at the company's San Antonio facility before flying to the United Kingdom.

Boeing to cut 1,100 jobs due to drop in C-17 production/orders

As C-17 orders wind down, Boeing will cut 1,100 jobs tied to the C-17 military cargo plane through 2012. Most of the jobs being eliminated will come from the C-17 plant in Long Beach.

Worldwide C-17 fleet completes 2 million flight hours

Now in its 17th year of service, the worldwide fleet of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters have surpassed 2 million flying hours. Reaching this milestone equates to 1.13 billion nautical miles – the equivalent of flying to the moon and back 2,360 times

USAF releases findings on Alaska C-17 crash

Headquarters Pacific Air Forces has released the results of their investigation into the C-17 crash at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska in July. The investigation has reported that the aircraft failed to recover correctly from a stall and crashed, killing all four crew members.

Link to Executive Summary and video of crash

C-17s, KC-135s take part in Mobility Air Force Exercise

USAF C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker crews have practiced executing airlifts and airdrops in medium threat environments as part of the Mobility Air Force Exercise (MAFEX) hosted by the Air Force Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada. MAFEX will also see C-17s land on semi-prepared dirt runways and KC-135s carry out mid-air refuelling training.