PHOTOS: USAF-RMAF mixed formation air-to-air photos at Cope Taufan

Now this is something you don't see every day. A mixed formation air-to-air photo shoot comprising of United States Air Force F-15C Eagle and F-22A Raptor alongside Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Su-30MKM Flanker, MiG-29NUB Fulcrum, F/A-18D Hornet and BAe Hawk 108 over Georgetown, Malaysia, on June 18, 2014. USAF F-15s from the 131st Fighter Squadron, 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass and F-22s from the 154th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii sre currently in Malaysia for Exercise Cope Taufan 14, a biennial large force employment exercise taking place June 9 to 20 designed to improve U.S. and Malaysian combined readiness. (All photos U.S. Air Force by Tech. Sgt. Jason Robertson/Released)

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More images at DVIDS

Singapore AF Weapon System Officer injured in U.S Navy T-45 crash

T-45 Goshawk. U.S Navy Photo by LTJG John A. Ivancic

A Republic of Singapore Air Force Weapon Systems Officer was injured in yesterday's crash of a U.S. Navy T-45 Goshawk at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Lieutenant (LTA) Lu, Zhen Yang Ephraim was undergoing a routine training flight and was in the backseat of a US Navy T-45C Goshawk training jet piloted by a U.S. Navy instructor pilot when it crash landed. Both LTA Lu and the USN IP were injured in the crash and are recovering in hospital.

According to the statement from Singapore's Ministry of Defence, LTA Lu was on a Weapon Systems Officer (Fighter) Course conducted by the US Navy. The RSAF has a number of training arrangements in the United States operating both their own aircraft, as well as airframe hours leased from U.S. Air Force and Navy assets.

PHOTO: Air-to-Air of Singaporean PC-21 with Aussie PC-9, Hawk 127

© Commonwealth of Australia. Click on thumbnail for high resolution version.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) recently conducted a joint flight over the city of Perth in celebration of 20 years of Singapore Flying Training at RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia. A RSAF Pilatus PC-21 trainer flew in conjunction with a RAAF BAe Hawk 127 Lead In Fighter Trainer of 79 Sqn RAAF and a Pilatus PC-9 of No.2 Flying Training School.

More images by the RAAF's photographers in this Photo Gallery

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 12 Sept 2013

Royal Thai Air Force Gripen (Gripen International/Saab Photo)

The Royal Thai Air Force held a ceremony at its Surat Thani base to mark the commissioning of the RTAF's Gripen Integrated Air Defense System. The RTAF has also expressed an interest in acquiring six more Gripens.

Lots of photos of the departure of Indonesia's first two KAI T-50 trainers leaving for their delivery flight to Indonesia via Kaoshiung, Taiwan and the Philippines. The T-50s were escorted by a TNI-AU Hawk Mk.53 when they arrived over Indonesia, with photos here and here. (Both TNI-AU photos)

Spotters badge for the T-50 Gallery goes to Irman

Indonesian Hawk crashes near Pekanbaru; pilot unhurt

A Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU, or Indonesian Air Force) BAe Hawk 209 single-seat lightweight combat jet has crashed in Pasir Putih, near Pekanbaru on Indonesia's Sumatra Island this morning. The pilot, Second Lieutenant Reza Yori Prasetyo, ejected and made a safe landing as the aircraft went down during a routine training mission.

According to witnesses quoted by Indonesia's Antara News Agency, the ill-fated jet was performing "aerobatic manoeuvres, along with two other similar aircraft" when it crashed.

As the above screengrab from Indonesia's Metro TV shows, the serial number of the crashed aircraft was TT-0212. Based on the location, the aircraft will most likely have come from Skuadron Udara 12, based at Pekanbaru's Sultan Syarif Kasim II airbase.

Following the crash, the TNI-AU has grounded its remaining Hawks until the investigation into the incident has been completed.

The TNI-AU currently operates a second Hawk 109/209 Squadron, Skuadron Udara 1 at Pontianak/Supadio with a third squadron, Skuadron Udara 15 operating the Hawk 53 at Madiun/Iswahjudi.

More photos:

Note: Click on last two images for larger versions. Spotter's badge for these photos goes to xtemujin. Original photographer unknown.

PHOTO: RAAF Hawk 127 viewed from a C-130 over Perth

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A Royal Australian Air Force Hawk 127 from 79 Squadron flies over the city of Perth in the lead up to the Defence Force Air Show. A Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules and two Hawk 127 aircraft flew in formation over Perth CBD and Rottnest Island, on the 17 May in the lead up to the Defence Force Air Show at RAAF Pearce on 19/20 May 2012.

The Defence Force Air Show will be held on 19 and 20 May 2012 from 8am to 5pm (last entry at 2pm) at RAAF Pearce, located on the Great Northern Highway, Bullsbrook WA 6084. Flying displays will be held from 12pm to 3pm. Entry is $20 for adults and $5 for children. More information from www.airforce.gov.au/airshows

USAF, RMAF conducting Ex. Cope Taufan 2012

The U.S. Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force are currently taking part in Exercise Cope Taufan 2012 at RMAF Butterworth, Malaysia. F-15C/D Eagles of the 67th Fighter Squadron from Kadena, Okinawa are taking part with alongside MiG-29 Fulcrums, F/A-18 Hornets and Hawk 208 aircraft of the RMAF.

Republic of Korea AF Hawk crashes, both crew killed

A Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) BAe Hawk trainer jet has crashed during an exercise, killing both pilots aboard. According to the RoKAF, the trainer crashed this afternoon at 2.27pm local time near the aircraft's base at Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, about 250 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Both pilots, 34-year-old Major Park Jeong-soo and 33-year-old Major Kwon Seong-ho, were unfortunately killed in the crash. No casualties were suffered on the ground, although 3 greenhouses were damaged by fire. The aircraft had reportedly crashed soon after taking off for an emergency landing practice exercise.

The RoKAF took delivery of 20 Bae Hawk 67 trainers (known locally as T-59s) in 1992, and the remaining 15 (after today's crash) serve with the RoKAF's 216th Flight Training Squadron/16th Fighter Wing at Yecheon. South Korea reportedly wants to retire their Hawk fleet by 2013, possibly replacing them with locally-built KAI KT-1 basic trainers. Indonesia has been reported as being a possible buyer of the Korean Hawks.

South African Hawks begin upgrade

BAE has started a project with a South African company to upgrade the South African Air Force's fleet of Hawk 120 trainers with upgraded navigation equipment and simulated weapons functionality. The upgrade enables the Hawk 120 to share simulated radar data across multiple platforms.

Indonesia makes informal approach to buy Typhoons

It has been reported that Indonesia has made an informal approach to the United Kingdom regarding the possible purchase Eurofighter Typhoons for the TNI-AU (Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara, or Indonesian Air Force). Separately, BAE Systems has offered to upgrade Indonesia's fleet of Hawk trainers.

T-45 Crashes Near Tallahassee

A US Navy T-45C Goshawk training jet has crashed in Florida while conducting a training mission. Both crewmembers ejected safely. The T-45 Goshawk is a carrier-capable version of the BAE Hawk trainer.

Indian pilot trainees continue to fly MiG-21 due to Hawk issues

Delays in the deliveries of 66 BAE Hawk trainers means that Indian AF pilot trainees continue to cut their teeth on the elderly MiG-21 fleet. Defective components and support equipment delivered by BAE to Hindustan Aeronautics have been blamed for the delay.

UAEAF Hawk crashes; pilot killed

A UAEAF BAE Hawk trainer has crashed near the emirate's border with Oman. The sole occupant of the aircraft was killed, and Gulf News has identified the pilot as 1LT Majid Ahmad Al Naqbi.

Finnish AF To Replace Trainers; Joint Buy with Sweden Possible

In light of the recent decision to replace most of its Hawk trainer fleet, an opportunity has arisen for the Finnish Air Force for a joint buy with Sweden for a replacement trainer. The Swedish Air Force has a requirement to replace its Saab 105 trainers.

PHOTO: T-45 Goshawk in a pre-World War II paint scheme

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101029-N-3951P-001 KINGSVILLE, Texas (Oct. 29, 2010) A T-45 Goshawk training aircraft painted in a pre-World War II tactical aircraft paint scheme flies over Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. The plane is one of nine training command aircraft being painted in celebration of the Centennial of Naval Aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Gabe Pincelli/Released)

Finnish AF to stand down most of its Hawks

Most of Finland’s fleet of Hawk trainers are to be decommissioned over the next four years. 41 of the 67 two-seat BAE Hawks in the Finnish AF fleet will be retired. Most of the retained aircraft were refurbished aircraft bought from Switzerland.

Selex Galileo to protect Malaysia's Hawk fleet

Selex Galileo expects to receive a contract to equip the Royal Malaysian Air Force's BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft with a new radar warning receiver (RWR) system. Named Seer, the self-protection equipment has been designed as a drop-in replacement for BAE's Sky Guardian 200 RWR system. Malaysia operates 14 single-seat Hawk 208s and six Hawk 108 trainers.

RAAF Hawks grounded

The Royal Australian Air Force has grounded its fleet of Hawk Lead-In Fighter trainers after a technical fault caused an aircraft to shut down while taxiing in Western Australia. The RAAF operates 33 Hawk 127s, with 76 Sqn and 79 Sqn at RAAF Williamtown, New South Wales and RAAF Pearce, Western Australia respectively.

PHOTO: Malaysian Su-30 with buddy refueling store

The Public Relations folks at the Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Air Force) have released a couple of photos of a Sukhoi Su-30MKM carrying (presumably) a Cobham 754 buddy refueling store in formation with F/A-18Ds and Hawk 208s. (Royal Malaysian Air Force Photo)
(Click on thumbnail for high res image)

India's Surya Kiran aerobatics team to switch to Hawk

The Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran aerobatics team will transition from the Kiran Mk.II trainer to the British Aerospace Hawk 128. The nine-ship display team has started the conversion process and will complete the transition in five years time.