USMC Cobra landing accident on board USS Denver in Okinawa

The damaged Cobra on the USS Denver. Photo © The Okinawa Times

Japanese press are reporting that a U.S. Marine AH-1W Cobra helicopter gunship has been involved in a landing accident on board the Landing Platform Dock USS Denver (LPD-9) at White Beach, Okinawa. According to the Okinawa Times, the aircraft damaged its skids upon landing but fortunately settled upright on the deck of the LPD. The above photo shows the damaged helicopter in the background. The Marines have not issued a statement about the incident, and it is not known if there are any injuries.

NOTE: The aircraft would be an AH-1W from HMLA-469, a detachment which is currently rotation to Okinawa as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP)

h/t Yutaka

VIDEOS: Singapore Airshow aerial displays: Black Knights, Black Eagles, Jupiter, V-22 and more

Youtube user Tonkatsu298 brings us some videos of the aerial display at the recent Singapore Airshow. Aerobatics displays from 3 military display teams (Singapore's Black Knights, Indonesia's Jupiter and South Korea's Black Eagles). Plus solo displays from the a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Royal Australian Air Force, F-16C and C-17 from the USAF, and a V-22 Osprey tiltrotor making its debut at Singapore Airshow.

Here are some of the highlights:

Republic of Singapore AF Black Knights (F-16C Fighting Falcon)
External Link

Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles (KAI T-50B Golden Eagle)
External Link

Indonesian Air Force Jupiter (KAI KT-1)
External Link

United States Marine Corps Boeing MV-22B Osprey
External Link

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet
External Link

More videos of the aerial displays at Singapore Airshow 2014 on Tonkatsu298's Youtube page

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 02 Oct 2013

HMM-262 Sea Knight at Ex Cobra Gold, Thailand in 2009

According to reports from Russia quoting Indonesian sources, Indonesia has a requirement of 112 fighters between now and 2024. The TNI-AU intends to form 8 squadrons of 16 aircraft each. It already operates 16 Su-27/30s and has 24 refurbished F-16C/Ds on order.

End of an era as the last Okinawa-based U.S. Marine CH-46 Sea Knight made its last flight prior to storage pending disposal. The helicopters from Marine Helicopter Medium Squadron 262 (HMM-262) is in the process of converting to the MV-22B Osprey. Another Okinawa-based squadron is now flying Ospreys since 2012, having also turned in its Sea Knights.

More details have emerged of the new Taiwanese-built air launched precision weapon we reported on a while back. The Wan Chien is a cluster munition with a range of over 200km. It will equip the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching Kuo fighters of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force, with forty Tainan based aircraft already retrofitted for the new weapon.

Marine aviation assets temporarily deployed to Japan are currently in the Philippines conducting training with Philippine Air Force personnel. F/A-18C Hornets from VMFA-232 'Red Devils' and AH-1W Super Cobras of HMLA-167 'Warriors' are temporarily deployed to Japan as part of the USMC's Unit Deployment Program (UDP)

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 19 Sept 2013

Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15SG of 149 Sqn

In a ceremony held at Paya Lebar Airbase, the Republic of Singapore Air Force has declared that its F-15SG Eagles are fully operational with 149 Squadron. The first aircraft was delivered in May 2009 to a U.S-based training squadron.

Japan's Defense Ministry has said that it will consider shooting down UAVs that enter its territory. Which is fine and good, not to mention a natural reaction, but the problem is that no UAVs (Chinese or otherwise) has violated its airspace (yet).

Meanwhile, an Okinawa-based U.S Marine General has said that Marine MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors based in Okinawa could be sent to the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands if required.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 03 Sept 2013

Is this a photo of China's new Z-20 medium utility helicopter being transported by road? It is expected to make it's first flight soon, and will be in the same class as the Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter.

Hopefully, this will end the silly brouhaha. The bombs jettisoned into the Coral Sea by Marine Harriers during Talisman Saber in late July have been disposed of.

An look into the possible reasons for Indonesia's choice of the AH-64E Apache helicopter gunship.

Aviation units supporting Darwin-based Marines in exercise

AV-8B Harrier II of VMA-214 Blacksheep

Marine Corps aviation units based in Japan, in addition to those attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit which is currently embarked on board the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, are currently training with embarked 31st MEU Marines, the 5th Royal Australian Regiment and Marine Rotational Force–Darwin during Exercise Koolendong 2013, a bilateral exercise taking place at the Bradshaw Field Training Area in the Northern Territory starting 27 Aug. for approximately two weeks.

Exercise Koolendong 2013 is designed as a “proof of concept” to assess the capacity of the Bradshaw Field Training Area to accommodate live-fire training for battalion-sized units of approximately 1,000 personnel and demonstrate the capabilities that U.S. amphibious forces can provide.

The exercise will feature day and night live-fire training that includes light and heavy machine guns, mortars, artillery and aviation-delivered ordnance from AV-8B Harriers from the 31st MEU (attached from VMA-214 Blacksheep) and FA/18D Hornets from VMFA-242 Bats. Additionally, three KC-130Js from the Sumos of VMGR-152 will provide tanker and transport support while MV-22 Ospreys, CH-53E Super Stallions and UH-1Y Hueys from VMM-265 (Reinforced) will provide assault support transportation from the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) operating at sea.

The Bradshaw Field Training Area is a remote training range in the Northern Territory, Australia; it is approximately 200 miles south/southwest from Darwin and is over 3,300 square miles in size.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 22 Aug 2013

AV-8B Harrier II of VMA-214 Blacksheep

More details have emerged regarding the unintended dropping of practice and unarmed bombs by U.S. Marine Harriers on the Great Barrier Reef during Talisman Saber in July.

It has been happening for a while, but news has just got out that the F/A-18D Hornets of VMFA(AW)-242 Bats are currently in Tindal, Australia for Exercise Southern Frontier.

The Korean Aircraft Industries (KAI) FA-50 is to begin service with the Republic of Korea Air Force this week. 60 of the light attack aircraft will be replacing the RoKAF's F-5E/F Tiger II interceptor fleet.

If you still doubted that the ongoing Red Flag - Alaska (which I wrote about here) was practice for a North Korea scenario, this story about DHC-2 Beavers simulating An-2 Colts at the exercise should erase them.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 19 Aug 2013

Remember those bombs dropped by the US Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park during Talisman Saber '13 that caused such a ruckus in the international media? They've been found.

The consensus is that the Lockheed Martin F-35 has been eliminated from the South Korean F-X III competition due to the bid's failure to stay within the budget. Word is Eurofighter's Typhoon has also been dumped. Which leaves the Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle as the last man standing.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force will be forced to leave one of its main airbases. The RSAF's Paya Lebar airbase will be redeveloped into a residential/light industrial zone. The RSAF aircraft currently based there will be moved to a redeveloped Changi East Airbase, which currently houses a squadron of F-16D+ fighter jets.

While we're on the topic of Changi East Airbase, the full transcript of the Defence Writers' Group's late July meeting with PACAF Commander General "Hawk" Carlisle has been released. He talks about the USAF's potential pivot to Changi East (among other places in the region) and that Singapore has decided to acquire the F-35B for its first batch of the Lightning II JSF.

Helicopters to join increased Marine detachment in Darwin from 2014

US Marine CH-53E Sea Stallion (US DoD Photo/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ken J. Riley)

Here's an interesting announcement by the Australian Prime Minister's Office/Department of Defence that seems to have pretty much flown under the radar of the defence media; from 2014 the Marine presence in Darwin will increase to 1,150 from the current 250. The Marines will also station four "heavylift helicopters" (Ed: CH-53 Sea Stallions, I presume? The MV-22 Osprey can haul more, but they aren't technically "helicopters" per se) at RAAF Darwin with 130 personnel to support the deployment, which will occur on six-month rotations during Darwin's dry season (May to October).

The press release repeats the plan to increase the Marine presence in the Northern Territory to 2,500 personnel from 2016, which will then comprise of a full MAGTF (Marine Air-Ground Task Force).

VIDEO: Marine V-22 Osprey lands on Japanese DDH Hyuga off California

This video from the Associated Press shows a United States Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft landing on board the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH-181) off the California coast as part of Exercise Dawn Blitz. Dawn Blitz is a scenario-driven exercise led by the U.S. 3rd Fleet and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force that will test participants in the planning and execution of amphibious operations through a series of live training events.

This marks the first occasion an Osprey has landed on a JMSDF ship, with the aircraft coming from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161) "Greyhawks" based at nearby Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Related Links:
Marines land Osprey aircraft on Japanese ship (Associated Press)
Images: MV-22 Osprey lands on Japanese destroyer (DVIDS)

PHOTO: Awesome view of Marine Hornet launching Sparrow AAM

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Christopher Prout. Click on thumbnail for high resolution image.

This photo is awesome on so many levels. It provides us with an insight into something we seldom have a chance to see as U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Christopher Prout with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing shoots a AIM-7 Sparrow missile from a F/A-18C Hornet airplane while participating in a deployment for training (DFT) near Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 16, 2013. The DFT prepared the squadron for future combat and contingency operations.

On a side note, the Red Devils of VMFA-232 were deployed to the Asia-Pacific last year when they were spent six months at Marine Combat Air Station Iwakuni, Japan on rotation as part of the Marine Corps' Unit Deployment Program (UDP). Their stint in this part of the world included the squadron's participation in the multinational Exercise Pitch Black in Australia, which saw these other photos taken.

VMM-265's MV-22 Ospreys to take part in Talisman Sabre

In a wide-ranging interview with Second Line of Defence, the Commanding Office of Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has revealed that 10 Boeing MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tilitrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 will deploy to Australia for the forthcoming Exercise Talisman Sabre. It is expected that seven Ospreys will operate from the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS BonHomme Richard (LHD-6) while three others will fly to Australia under their own power.

Some, or all of the Ospreys will then continue training with the Australia-based U.S Marine detachment in Australia's Northern Territories after Talisman Sabre, which runs from July 15 to August 5 2013 and will be held mainly in Northern and Central Queensland. The Marine exercises in the NT are expected to last till September.

This will mark the first visit by the V-22 Osprey and the BonHomme Richard to Australia, with both VMM-265 and the "Bonnie Dick" having arrived on station in MCAS Futenma in Okinawa and Sasebo Naval Base in Japan respectively in 2012. Talisman Sabre is a biennial joint Australia-United States military exercise held in Australia. Other than amphibious forces, recent Talisman Sabre exercises have seen deployments by US Navy carrier groups, land-based Marine F/A-18 Hornets and US Air Force F-15 Eagles. At this moment, it is unclear what other US forces will be involved in Talisman Sabre 2013.

Marine Prowlers deploy to Iwakuni, Japan under UDP

The Pacific Pivot continues. In addition to more Marine Corps ground units being slated to be based at Okinawa on six-month rotations, it has also been revealed that a USMC EA-6B Prowler squadron has begun operating from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.

While the linked article above provides little in the way of specifics regarding deployment dates/number of aircraft, our sources have indicated that he first detachment of five aircraft from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 (VMAQ-4) Seahawks have arrived at Iwakuni in early February, and the Prowler detachment will be part of the Marine Corps' Unit Deployment Program (UDP), which currently sees two Marine F/A-18 Hornet squadrons deploy to Iwakuni on six-month rotations. In addition, the aviation element of the UDP also sees Marine AV-8B Harriers and helicopters being stationed on nearby Okinawa.

The Marines currently operate four five-aircraft squadrons of Prowlers from MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina. The EA-6B Prowler is an Electronic Warfare aircraft equipped with advanced electronic countermeasures and missiles capable of disabling/attacking enemy air defenses and gathering intelligence.

PHOTOS: First Marine Ospreys in VMM-265 markings seen

U.S. Marine Corps photos by Sgt. Daniel K. Brown. Click on thumbnail for high resolution

The first photos of the controversial MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft in the markings of Futenma-based Marine Medium Tilitrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 have appeared, with these photos dated September 21st recently being published on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni's website. Of note is the Japanese character "Ryu" (Dragon) appearing on the tail of both Ospreys, along with VMM-265's EP tailcode. The squadron, named the Dragons, had recently transitioned to the Osprey from its venerable CH-46 Sea Knights.

Marine Corps aircrews have begun conducting MV-22 aircraft functional check flights and pilot proficiency flights aboard MCAS Iwakuni. These flights, which will occur over the next several weeks, will take place mostly over water, with any overland portion conducted within the MCAS Iwakuni airspace and traffic pattern.

The VMM-265 aircraft will eventually operate out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, in Okinawa. The United States says that basing the Osprey in Okinawa will significantly strengthen the United States’ ability to provide for the defense of Japan, perform humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations and fulfill other alliance roles. However, Okinawa locals have vociferously opposed the basing of the Ospreys at Futenma, citing noise and safety concerns with Futenma being surrounded by built up civilian areas.

PHOTOS: Marine Hornets air-to-air over Northern Australia at Pitch Black

Click on thumbnail for high resolution

Some nice photography from the United States Marine Corps of its F/A-18C Hornets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 refueling in the air from a KC-130J Hercules during flight training over Northern Australia in support of Pitch Black 2012, August 15 2012. This exercise is conducted to enhance flight operations and maintain proficiency as well as maintain interoperability between allies and partner nations. A coordinated multilateral response to regional challenges is the best way to increase peace, stability and prosperity in the region. (All USMC Photos by Cpl. Vanessa Jimenez)

Japan gives final approval for Osprey deployment

It was just a matter of time anyway. Despite despite fierce opposition over noise and safety and after a protracted approval process, Japan has approved a controversial deployment of the V-22 Osprey to Okinawa.

A U.S.-Japan working committee struck an agreement calling for the Marine Corps to avoid low-altitude flying and to conduct most conversions of the MV-22 from helicopter to airplane mode within airspace over military bases. The Ospreys will replace the CH-46 Sea Knights, with the Dragons of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265) now re-designated as Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265).

Brazen Taliban assault cripples U.S Marine Harrier squadron

VMA-211 AV-8B Harrier in 2009. Click for high-resolution image

In a brazen assault reminiscent of the attacks by the Vietcong against American airbases during the Vietnam War, the Taliban in Afghanistan have destroyed six United States Marine Corps (USMC) AV-8B Harrier jump jets on the ground and "significantly" damaged two other Harriers at Camp Bastion, in Afghanistan's southern Helmand Province on Friday. According to a statement by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF):

The attack commenced just after 10 p.m. when approximately 15 insurgents executed a well-coordinated attack against the airfield on Camp Bastion. The insurgents, organized into three teams, penetrated at one point of the perimeter fence.

The insurgents appeared to be well equipped, trained and rehearsed.

Dressed in U.S. Army uniforms and armed with automatic rifles, rocket propelled grenade launchers and suicide vests, the insurgents attacked Coalition fixed and rotary wing aircraft parked on the flight line, aircraft hangars and other buildings.

Six Coalition AV-8B Harrier jets were destroyed and two were significantly damaged. Three Coalition refueling stations were also destroyed. Six soft-skin aircraft hangars were damaged to some degree.

The Harriers were from the Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 "Avengers", normally based at Yuma, Arizona. Two coalition members, including the squadron's Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Chris "Otis" Raible, were also killed during the attack. Given that a typical Marine Harrier squadron deploys with ten jets, and with approximately 120 active aircraft currently in the Marines' inventory, having eight aircraft put out of action (1/15 or 7% of the fleet) in one single action would be a big blow to the Marines, as well as ISAF operations in and around Camp Bastion. The Avengers were deployed to Afghanistan since May 2012, and had operated from Camp Bastion since July.

Camp Bastion is usually regarded as a relatively safe operating location due to its remoteness in the deserts of Helmand, away from built up areas and devoid of cover which can be used to conceal the approach of insurgents. In a statement, the Taliban claimed that they were attempting to kill Britain's Prince Harry, who had recently been deployed to Camp Bastion, and also engaging in the attack to get retribution for the recently viral video about Prophet Muhammed and Islam.

VIDEO: Tigers' Harriers join the BonHomme Richard and 31st MEU

AV-8B Harriers with the Tigers of Marine Attack Squadron 542 join the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard at sea. The 31st MEU is currently deployed in the Asia-Pacific region in support of theatre security operations. VMA 542 is the fixed wing asset of the MEU's Air Combat Element, providing long distance reconnaissance and close air support capabilities.

Marine Ospreys in Japan to stay grounded pending crash investigations

MV-22 Ospreys on the Iwakuni ramp (US Marine Corps Photo)

The United States Marines will not undertake flight operations by MV-22 Ospreys in Japan until the Japanese government green lights the flights after investigations into two recent crashes are completed, according to American Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

The move was announced on the same day Panetta met with Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto in Washington, who later flew on an MV-22 and observed another Osprey flight and operations by Marine aviation units.

Okinawan residents and local politicians are contesting the plan to deploy Marine Ospreys to the Marine base at Futenma, citing noise and safety concerns.

See also: Marine Ospreys arrive in Japan

Vikings Hornet makes 'precautionary' landing on Midway

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet has landed on Midway Atoll in the Pacific as a precaution due to an unspecified problem while flying from Hawaii to Iwakuni, Japan. The aircraft, from VMFA-225 'Vikings', was on it's way to Japan after taking part in the multinational Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

So, it looks like the Vikings will take over VMFA-121 Green Knights as the UDP squadron at Iwakuni.