PHOTOS: Singapore's US-based F-15s participate in Red Flag Alaska

The Royal Australian Air Force has just released a series of photos of Exercise Red Flag Alaska 11-2 which is being held at the USAF's Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska from July 7-22, and will involve participants from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. Among the participants captured on camera by the RAAF's photographers are the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Boeing F-15SG Strike Eagles of the 428th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing, a joint RSAF-USAF training squadron based at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Click on the following thumbnails to view the high-resolution images.




Photos © Commonwealth of Australia

Formerly known as Cope Thunder, Red Flag Alaska is a United States Pacific Air Forces Command led large force employment exercise designed to replicate a high-end combat environment. Aircrew will be exposed to large force employment where they perform counter air, precision strike and offensive air support in packages of up to 100 aircraft. The exercise also provides invaluable training for logistics, support and maintenance personnel as they are able to practice deploying to another country and working together with other Air Forces.

Red Flag Alaska is a large-forces exercise conducted in interior Alaska to simulate air combat. Aircrews will be operating in the 67,000 square-mile Joint Alaska Pacific Range Complex, which offers adequate space and ranges for crews to simulate full-scale aerial battles.

PHOTO: RAAF Hornets refuel from Omega KDC-10 at Aces North

The Royal Australian Air Force has released a stunning series of air-to-air imagery of it's F/A-18 Hornets performing inflight refueling operations with an Omega KDC-10 tanker during Exercise Aces North over the Top End (Northern Territory). Aces North represents the culmination of the RAAF's challenging Fighter Combat Instructor course, which sees advanced fighter combat tactics and scenarios played out during the three-week exercise. The post-graduate course is conducted every two years and provides experienced F/A-18 Hornet Pilots with extensive training in all air combat related roles. Click on the thumbnails below to view the high resolution images. (All photos © Commonwealth of Australia)

PHOTO: First RAAF KC-30A tanker arrives in Australia

The KC-30A lands for the first time on Australian soil at its new home, RAAF Base Amberley. The KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft arrived at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland on 30 May 2011 after departing Madrid, Spain on Friday 27 May. The arrival of the first aircraft, A39-003, at RAAF Amberley follows an extensive development and test program by Airbus military in Spain for the world’s most advanced tanker aircraft. (© Commonwealth of Australia by ACW Joanne Larsen )

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.

RAAF may acquire additional Super Hornets due to JSF delays

With the best-case entry into service date for it's F-35s now expected to be 2016, Australia is looking at options to fill a looming capability gap, with the purchase of a further 18 Super Hornets for the RAAF highly likely. Australian defence officials head for the US this week for an update from Lockheed Martin on the JSF.

PHOTO: RAAF C-130J returns from Middle East with nose art

(Click on thumbnail for high res image)
Nicknamed 'Desert Devil', No. 37 Squadron (37SQN) C-130J Hercules A97-466 sits on the RAAF Richmond flightline after returning from an eleven month deployment to the Middle East. (Photo © Commonwealth of Australia by LAC David Said )

Sentry Down Under wrap-up for Iowa ANG

After a month away from home, the Iowa National Guard has returned from Australia after completing Exercise Sentry Down Under with the Royal Australian Air Force. During the exercise IOwa ANG's F-16s conducted Basic Fighter Maneuvers with RAAF flight instructors and the students in F/A-18 Hornets

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.

Christchurch aftershock damages RAAF Hercules

The Australian Defence Force Chief has said today that a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules transport has been damaged by an aftershock in Christchurch. The aircraft is participating in earthquake relief operations and the damage has been described as minor.

RAAF, RSAF deploy aircraft to New Zealand earthquake relief

Following the earthquake which has devastated the city of Christchurch on South Island, New Zealand, the Royal Australian Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force have deployed aircraft, personnel and equipment to support relief efforts. The RAAF has despatched a pair of C-130 Hercules transports while the RSAF has deployed a KC-135R Stratotanker and another pair of C-130s.

RAAF Hercules and crews leave for Red Flag

A Royal Australian Air Force contingent from the RAAF Richmond’s No. 37 Squadron with a pair of C-130H Hercules will participate in Exercise Red Flag 11-3 at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The RAAF C-130s would fly tactical airlift missions at Red Flag.

Boeing accepts charge on new 737 AEW&C problems

Boeing's fourth quarter earnings statement includes a $136 million charge against earnings on its AEW&C programme. This marks a new setback for the deliveries of 737 airborne early warning and control system aircraft to Australia and Turkey. Boeing blames the writedown on "additional software development and testing" and "resolution of test programme issues" for the Australian and Turkish aircraft respectively.

No planes for you! RAAF to stop supporting Formula One with flypasts

Citing expensive overseas deployments and a ruthless cost-cutting campaign, the Royal Australian Air Force will no longer supply planes and pilots for flyovers during the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The RAAF's Roulettes aerobatics team and the RAAF's F/A-18 fighters will instead be replaced by the RAAF's hot-air balloon.

RAAF KC-30A, Portuguese F-16 damaged in mid-air incident

The Australian Defence Force has said that a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has been damaged in a mid-air incident with a Portuguese Air Force F-16. The KC-30A, operated by Airbus prior to delivery to the RAAF, suffered damage and partial loss of its boom.

Airbus plans 28 military deliveries in 2011, including first A330 MRTTs

Airbus Military is targeting 28 military aircraft deliveries in 2011 including the first six KC-330 tanker transports. However the first handover of the KC-30A tanker to lead-customer, the Royal Australian Air Force, has still not been set. The company also expects to deliver 22 smaller transports, the C-295 and CN-235, this year

Australia deploys more helicopters for flood assistance

The Australian Defence Force will deploy more helicopters for assistance to the flood ravaged Australian state of Queensland. Two more ADF Blackhawks and four Kiowas will be deployed to Amberley Airbase, west of the state capital Brisbane. Several helicopters and fixed wing assets are already being deployed on various flood relief missions over the past week.

Airbus misses RAAF KC-30 deadline

Despite promising to do so as late as last month, Airbus has been unable to deliver the first KC-30 tanker to the Royal Australian Air Force by the end of 2010. The delay is not technical however, it has to do with Airbus being unable to complete it's technical documentation for the aircraft boom and remote operating station.

Canadians trained RAAF Heron crew

It has been reported in the Canadian press that Royal Canadian Air Force personnel trained their Australian counterparts on the finer points of operating the Heron UAV. The training was carried out on leased RCAF UAVs and took place in Alberta, Canada and on operational missions in Afghanistan.

First Australian Super Hornet squadron operational

The RAAF has released a photo gallery of the latest Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets to arrive Down Under. Four more Super Hornets have arrived at RAAF Amberley, enabling 1 Sqn RAAF to attain Initial Operating Capability (IOC). The remainder of RAAF's fleet of 24 Super Hornets will be delivered by the end of 2011.

Farewell F-111

An era in aviation has come to an end as the Royal Australian Air Force has held a big ceremony saying goodbye to the F-111 late last week. A lot of photos are linked in the article.