U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John Nimmo, Sr.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq, takes off on another mission supporting coalition forces on the ground.

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Sangin. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the missions were successful.

In order to deter enemy activities French Mirage-2000s performed shows of force in Sangin and Gereshk. The missions were confirmed by the JTAC.

In total, 40 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Ten Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a guided bomb unit-12 in order to destroy an enemy vehicle in Baqubah. The success of the mission was reported by the JTAC.

In Basrah, an F-16 dropped a GBU-38 in order to destroy an enemy rocket. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

In order to destroy house-borne improvised explosive devices in Baghdad, an F-16 dropped GBU-38s. The JTAC reported that the mission was successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 51 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-four Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Air Force and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 133 airlift sorties were flown; 493 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,251 passengers were transported. This included approximately 9,300 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq, and Japan flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 27, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.1 million pounds of fuel to 169 receiving aircraft.

Hatfield, Hertfordshire. BAE Systems Regional Aircraft confirms that the market for its portfolio Jetstream 41 remains buoyant and that during 2007 a total of 22 transactions were completed, more than double the 2006 total.

Previously confirmed transactions included new leases for 11 aircraft with Eastern Airways of the UK - the world’s largest fleet operator of the type - the lease of four aircraft to new Colombian operator EasyFly S.A. and a lease extension for one aircraft with SA Airlink of South Africa.

Today, Regional Aircraft announces the following new 2007 transactions:

* Capital Aviation Holdings has purchased three aircraft (msn 41055, 41058 and 41064) which it is planning to lease into an airline in the Caribbean. The first aircraft is being ferried to Corporate Flight Management’s Smyrna, Tennessee, facility for customisation to the end user’s specifications; * SARPA (Servicios Aereos Panamericanos S.A.) of Medellin, Colombia, has purchased one Jetstream 41 (msn 41089) for delivery during this month. Already a well-established Jetstream 32 operator, SARPA has been flying for over 25 years to support the oil industry in Medellin. Besides its oil contracts, SARPA has branched out to serve other industries in the country and requires the bigger Jetstream 41to fuel its expansion plans; * Sky Express based at Heraklion on the island of Crete, Greece, has purchased two Jetstream 41s (msn 41075 and 41076) to add to its fleet of two Jetstream 32s. Delivery of both aircraft will be made in Spring 2008 in time for the busy summer season. Sky Express has carved out a niche for itself over the past three years by flying thinner routes linking Crete directly with smaller Greek islands such as Rhodes, Lesbos, Samos and Kos using its 19-seat Jetstreams and avoiding transiting through Athens. The addition of the two Jetstream 41s will allow longer direct routes such as from Crete to Thessaloniki to be flown in comfort and also holds the prospect of further onward connections from Thessaloniki into Balkan destinations.

The Jetstream 41 fleet is, on average, only just over ten years old and this strong performance illustrates the value that the market is placing on acquiring examples in a rapid timeframe.

Regional Aircraft confirms that negotiations are well advanced with several carriers for a number of aircraft and expects to have placed its remaining Jetstream 41s by the end of 2008.

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, British GR-7 Harriers performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Sangin. The missions were confirmed successful by an on-scene joint terminal attack controller.

A GR-7 performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities in Deh Rawod. In addition, the GR-7 Harrier dropped an Enhanced Paveway II munition in order to destroy an enemy bunker system, and weapons cache. A JTAC reported that the missions were successful.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in Gereshk, Kajaki Dam, Orgune, Sangin and Zormat. A JTAC declared that the missions were successful.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in order to deter enemy activities in Farah, Jalalabad, Kandahar and Sangin. The missions were confirmed successful by a JTAC.

French Mirage-2000s performed shows of force in Kandahar to deter enemy activities. A JTAC reported that the missions were successful.

In total, 41 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Five Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon performed a show of force in order to deter enemy forces in Baqubah. The success of the mission was declared by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 49 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-two Air Force, Navy, and RAF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Air Force and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 146 airlift sorties were flown, 521 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,224 passengers were transported.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Iraq, Japan, and Korea flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 28, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.8 million pounds of fuel to 254 receiving aircraft.

BAE Systems has been awarded a $28.1 million U.S. Air Force contract to provide radar warning receiver systems for new-production C-130J transport aircraft. BAE Systems’ AN/ALR-56M radar warning receiver detects a broad range of incoming radar signals and identifies and characterizes their origin as friend or foe, alerting the pilot when it detects threats to the aircraft. Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide 28 new units.

"The ALR-56M system continues to provide superior electronic protection for U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and friendly-nation aircrews throughout the world," said Ken Bond, ALR-56M program manager for BAE Systems. "With this contract, BAE Systems and the Air Force continue a strong partnership to ensure the survivability of our front-line aircraft."

BAE Systems has produced more than 1,250 ALR-56M radar warning receivers for U.S. and international customers since the original production award in 1988. The ALR-56M is used on multiple aircraft, including the F-16 and several models of the C-130 used by Italy, Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom, as well as the U.K.’s Replacement Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Georgia, is the contracting agency. All production, test, and delivery work will take place at BAE Systems’ Greenlawn facility. The production contract will run through November 2009.

U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Patrick Dixon

A C-17 Globemaster III from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., has its cargo unloaded at a Southwest Asia air base. The aircraft is moving troops throughout Iraq.

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a ground bomb unit-38 in order to destroy an enemy mortar position in Now Zad. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed that the mission was successful.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in Bermal. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

In total, 42 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped GBU-38s in order to destroy an enemy weapons cache in Baqubah. A JTAC declared the mission was a success.

A British GR-4 Tornado dropped an enhanced paveway II munition to destroy a previously downed unmanned aerial vehicle that was suspected to be booby trapped in Baqubah. A JTAC confirmed that the mission was a success.

F-16s performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in Baghdad and Tikrit. A JTAC reported that the missions were successful.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 48 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-three Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 127 airlift sorties were flown, 644 tons of cargo were delivered, and 2,303 passengers were transported. This included approximately 24,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq, Japan and Korea flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 29, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 43 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.9 million pounds of fuel to 238 receiving aircraft.

USAF

Lt. Col. James Kromberg adjusts his helmet as he prepares to fly the F-35 Lightning II Jan. 30 at the Lockheed Martin facility at Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Texas. Colonel Kromberg’s test flight marks the first time a military pilot flew the F-35. He is the 461st Flight Test Squadron director of operations.

NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH, Texas (AFPN) -- A pilot from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., became the first Air Force and government test pilot to fly the F-35 Lightning II during a test sortie at the Lockheed Martin facility Jan. 30 at Naval Air Station Fort Worth.

Lt. Col. James Kromberg, the director of operations for the 461st Flight Test Squadron, flew the F-35, numbered AA-1, which is currently flying envelope expansion, flying qualities evaluations, subsystems testing and initial systems assessments at Fort Worth.

The test flight consisted of the takeoff, handling qualities maneuvers, engine throttle transients, formation maneuvers with an F-16 Fighting Falcon and the landing.

After the flight, Colonel Kromberg said the F-35 flew "very well."

"The aircraft was responsive across all flight regimes," Colonel Kromberg said. "The engine thrust response was excellent -- accelerating very quickly. The aircraft was very stable during formation flight."

The colonel said he was very excited to fly the F-35.

"I have been smiling since arriving at the aircraft this morning and haven’t stopped," he said.

Before the flight, the test team briefed Colonel Kromberg covering all test maneuvers, safety of flight requirements and potential emergency procedures.

Prior to flying the F-35, Colonel Kromberg received training at Fort Worth in the aircraft simulator, control room crew resource management and emergency procedures. He’s been a part of the test team since September 2005.

Aside from the training, Colonel Kromberg said he was involved with helping draft the F-35’s initial flight manual, test plans and aircrew training procedures. He has more than 3,200 flight hours experience flying various aircraft including the F-16, F-15 Eagle, T-38 Talon and AV-8B Harrier.

Before joining the Air Force in 2003, Colonel Kromberg was a Marine officer from 1987 to 2003. During that time, he attended Naval Flight Training, served in three AV-8B Harrier squadrons as both a maintenance and operations officer, attended the Air Force Test Pilot School and served as the lead AV-8B operational test director. Before his current stint at the 461st FLTS, Colonel Kromberg served as the Test Pilot School assistant operations officer and plans and programs director.

As a former Marine with AV-8B experience and a graduate of both the Marine’s weapons school and Air Force’s TPS, he is uniquely qualified to be the first military pilot on this joint program, said Col. Arnie Bunch, the 412th Test Wing commander.

"As the Edwards Integrated Test Force director of operations, he is the military pilot most closely associated with tests of AA-1," Colonel Bunch said. "He has participated in simulator tests, flight control development and cockpit design of the JSF for the last two years."

Because the F-35 is in the development stages, only Test Pilot School graduates can fly the aircraft first, Colonel Bunch said. The initial pilot cadre -- contractor and military -- are chosen for their fighter aircraft backgrounds, extensive test experience and experience in the JSF program.

There are advantages to having both contractors and military testers fly test missions, Colonel Bunch said.

"Contractor pilots typically are assigned to the same program for many years and provide continuity," Colonel Bunch said. "Military pilots bring more recent operational experience and warfighters’ perspective."

Colonel Kromberg said he was appreciative of this opportunity to fly the F-35.

"Though I am the first government pilot, this flight is really just a continuation of the ongoing successful test effort the contractor, government and partner countries take part in each day," Colonel Kromberg said. "I am very humbled at this opportunity to represent the Air Force as the first government F-35 pilot."

The F-35 is scheduled to arrive at Edwards AFB for further flight tests in the spring.

BELLEVUE, Nebraska — BAE Systems has been awarded a $42.5 million contract by the U.S. Strategic Command to develop and maintain new capabilities for an air-strike mission planning system. The Air Vehicle Planning System program will run through July 2012, and includes system design, development, maintenance, and testing.

The Air Vehicle Planning System provides rapid, automated mission planning for the Air Force’s bombers, cruise missiles, manned and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, and air-refueling tanker support aircraft. The system also develops force-level plans for operational and test missions of strategic strikes.

"BAE Systems has developed the current Air Vehicle Planning System configuration through modernization, re-engineering, and technology insertion," said Jim Rower, defense systems director for BAE Systems in San Diego. "Using this automated system, fighting forces can confidently maximize their resources while taking resource constraints into account."

BAE Systems leads a team that includes McCallie Associates, Vet Defense, All Native Systems, and Intelligent Software Solutions. Work will be performed at BAE Systems facilities in Bellevue, Nebraska, and San Diego. The company will provide on-site support at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31 and 38s on enemy firing positions and an enemy weapons cache in Sangin. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed that the mission was successful.

In order to deter enemy activities an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, a British GR-7 Harrier, and a French Mirage F-1 CR performed shows of force in Uruzgan. The JTAC reported that the mission was successful.

In Nangalam, a show of force was performed by F-15s in order to deter enemy activities. The JTAC declared that the mission was successful.

In total, 40 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two Royal Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities in Baqubah. The JTAC confirmed that the mission was successful.

In Basrah, a show of force was performed by an F-16 in order to deter enemy activities. The mission was reported successful by the JTAC.

In order to deter enemy activities shows of force were provided by F-16s in Al Kut. The JTAC declared that the missions were successful

In total, coalition aircraft flew 26 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Eighteen Air Force and Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 121 airlift sorties were flown; 537 tons of cargo were delivered and 1,860 passengers were transported. This included approximately 6,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, and Iraq flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 30, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 226 receiving aircraft.

© Crown Copyright/MOD 2008

One of the new modified Carson composite blades

Royal Navy Sea King HC Mk4 support helicopters, currently being deployed on operations in Afghanistan, are benefiting from greatly improved performance thanks to new composite rotor blades increasing carrying capacity and speed.

The new modified Carson composite blades, together with a new AgustaWestland five-bladed tail rotor, enable the aircraft to operate far more effectively in the demanding conditions prevailing on Operation HERRICK, providing a welcome additional capability in a theatre where helicopters are always in great demand.

The modified US-designed Carson blades were selected following an extensive testing and evaluation programme, conducted by the MOD’s Joint Test and Evaluation Group Aircraft Test & Evaluation Centre (ATEC) and QinetiQ on behalf of the Sea King Integrated Project Team (IPT). The work supported an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) to enable the Sea Kings to be deployed.

Trials carried out in "hot and high" conditions in Colorado were followed by operational training in Cyprus, in which 846 Naval Air Squadron tried out the modified aircraft. Hover performance was demonstrated to have increased by 2,000lb (907kg) and forward speed by up to 49 knots (91km), confirming real performance improvements.

The ten-month timeframe within which the project moved from UOR declaration to delivery won praise from the Sea King IPT. Lieutenant Commander Dave Maude commented:

"Within the MOD, the Carson blades programme is recognised as being demanding with regards to the short timescales involved, and there has been a lot of admiration for the way that prime contractor QinetiQ has tackled the programme and the amount of hours and effort that have been put in."

Overall the programme has demonstrated real performance improvements through a very cost-effective £5.25M upgrade programme, delivered very rapidly. It means that the long-serving Sea King can undertake a wider range of tasks in a demanding operational environment, proving a great asset to UK and other NATO forces conducting operations in Afghanistan.

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- A Hawaii Air National Guard pilot safely ejected from his F-15D model aircraft over the Pacific Ocean at approximately 1:37 p.m. about 60 miles south of the Honolulu International Airport.

The pilot was picked up by the U. S. Coast Guard at 2:15 p.m.

The pilot was conducting routine training. The F-15 belongs to the 199th Fighter Squadron, 154th Wing of the Hawaii Air National Guard. The accident will be under investigation.