Aviation History

23/04/2025

https://aviationhistory.nl/team-minot-airmen-demonstrate-strategic-readiness-during-prairie-vigilance-25-1/

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.   –   Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, took part in Exercise Prairie Vigilance 25-1 (PV 25-1) here. Exercise PV 25-1 is a routine training operation designed to bolster ...

20/04/2025

https://aviationhistory.nl/the-pink-t-bird/ The Pink T-Bird. How a Canadian T-33 Shooting Star visiting Chaumont became an Hammer & Sickle enemy plane. Chaumont AB Alumni USAF Aircraft of the 1950s to 1980s Cold War Aircraft

17/04/2025

In 1962, the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) deployed four F-86F aircraft to the Congo to support United Nations operations. The serial numbers of these aircraft were 3-150, 3-133, 3-140, and 3-146. The IIAF received 52 F-86Fs from USAF surplus stock, USAFE being the major donor. Photos: IIAF Museum/Fariborz Payvar. F-80 to F-94 USAF 1st Generation Fighter Series North American F-100 Super Sabre North American F-86A/E/F/H Sabre, F-86D/K/L Sabre Dog North American F-86 Sabre The North American F-86 Sabre group

30/03/2025

https://aviationhistory.nl/royal-air-force-typhoons-arrive-in-malbork-poland-ahead-of-natos-enhanced-air-policing-mission/

Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon jets have landed at the 22nd Air Base in Malbork, Poland, ahead of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission (eAP). The Eurofighters of II Army Cooperation (AC) Squadron from RAF Lossiemouth, United Kingdom, will take on NATO’s eAP mission for the next four m...

27/03/2025

https://aviationhistory.nl/mustang-mk-1-first-action/ Best of Breed. "“It may be said that we could have had the long-range P-51 in Europe rather sooner than we did. That we did not have it sooner was the Air Force’s own fault. It seems to me, however, that one of the great “miracles” of the war was the fact that the full long-range fighter es**rt did appear over Germany at just the saving moment, in the very nick of time to keep our bomber offensive going without a break.” Henry H. Arnold - U.S. Commander Army Air Forces (1941–1946) in his memoirs “Global Mission."

On May 10, 1942, the legendary North American Mustang received its baptism of fire when Flight Officer G.N. Dawson of No. 26 Squadron RAF took several parked Luftwaffe fighters under fire during a reconnaissance flight in Mustang AG418 at Berck-sur-Mer airfield in France. The first Mustang lost in s...

27/03/2025

https://aviationhistory.nl/red-flag-nellis-25-2-testing-the-edge-of-airpower-through-interoperability/ Military Aircraft AIRCRAFT & AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS GROUP

  Between March 6-21, 2025, the skies above Nevada roared as Red Flag-Nellis 25-2 was held; 1500 participants from 15 units representing the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, United Arab Emirates Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force. As lead wing, the 552nd Air Control Wing from ...

25/03/2025

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ress, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, climbs into the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon to pilot the final U.S. F-16 flight out of Luke Air Force Base, March 24, 2025, delivering it to the 16th Weapons Squadron at Nellis AFB. This flight concludes the divestment of...

24/03/2025

US bombers complete latest European Bomber Task Force 25-2 deployment

After weeks of dynamic training and integration across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, four U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers and aircrews completed Bomber Task Force 25-2 deployment operations and returned to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, March 17.

While deployed, the aircraft operated as the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron out of RAF Fairford, United Kingdom. In total, the squadron completed 13 operational missions with more than 20 allies and partners, including air and land forces from Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

“Bomber Task Force missions reinforce our ability to rapidly project combat power, demonstrating U.S. lethality and readiness in a dynamic security environment,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph Campo, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa director of Operations, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration. “Training alongside our allies and partners ensures seamless integration, enhancing deterrence and warfighting capability across Europe, Africa and beyond.”

Aircrews executed high-end training missions like Fortress Hail, which enabled dynamic targeting alongside NATO forces over the Baltic Sea, followed by GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions drops that were guided by U.S. and Finnish joint terminal attack controllers at the Rovajärvi Range in Finland.

The B-52s also participated in long-range strike, air-to-air integration and close air support missions, culminating in a historic low-pass over the Swedish Parliament to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sweden’s accession to NATO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Chris Hibben)

18/03/2025

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron sits on the flight line during Exercise Fighting Wyvern 25-01 at Cerklje ob Krki Airport, Slovenia, March 11, 2025. Exercises are part of a long-term multinational training plan to maintain readiness and interoperability between Allies in the European theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jenna A. Bond)

17/03/2025

A United Arab Emirates Air Force F-16E Desert Falcon takes off during Red Flag 25-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 13, 2025. Red Flag provides valuable integrated training opportunities with allies and partner nations to bolster interoperability and readiness against potential adversaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Wilson)

17/03/2025

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron takes off during Red Flag 25-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 13, 2025. Red Flag is an advanced aerial training exercise held several times a year which aims to prepare aircrews for real world combat situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Wilson)

12/03/2025

Nice picture of a formation of four U.S. Air Force F-16 Vipers from the 177th Fighter Wing N.J. Air National Guard flies a training mission Aug. 18, 2009 near Atlantic City, N.J.. The 177th conducted training missions in preparation for the Atlantic city Air Show. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson).Nice picture

11/03/2025

Closer and closer....

Lt. Col. Samuel Moore, pilot, and Lt. Col. Christopher Jackson, copilot, fly a T-38C Talon assigned to the 560th Flying Training Squadron over a military operations area in East Texas, May 13, 2019. The pilots conducted training for instructor qualifications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

07/03/2025

A LC-130 Hercules assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing retrieves cargo from Parsons Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada, March 5. The LC-130’s flown by the 109th Airlift Wing are the largest tactical aircraft in the world with the ability to land on snow and ice using skis. C-130 Hercules Transport

07/03/2025

https://aviationhistory.nl/b-52-on-italian-excursion/

Two 64-year old B-52s (serial nrs. 60-0007 and 60-0037) today were training over central Italy. Four B-52H Stratofortress bombers are currently based at RAF Fairford on a Bomber Task Force Deployment from Minot AFB. (Screenshot: ADS-B)

06/03/2025

https://aviationhistory.nl/f-16-fighting-falcons-fly-routine-presence-patrol-in-middle-east/

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a routine presence patrol mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 25, 2025. The Fighting Falcon’s advanced capabilities provide flexible options to coalition leaders directing air operations throughout the Middle East, includin...

05/03/2025

https://aviationhistory.nl/pacaf-powering-the-mission-at-cope-north-25/

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing, 13th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, executed combat airpower generation during Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam Feb. 13 - 26, 2025. From pilots to maintainers, each member played a critical role in enhancing interoperability, sustaining air operations, and reinforcing PACAF’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing, 13th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, executed combat airpower generation during Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam Feb. 13 – 26, 2025. From pilots to maintainers, each member played a critical role in enhancing interoperability, ...

04/03/2025

https://aviationhistory.nl/f-22-aerial-demonstration-team-earns-heritage-flight-certification/

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor performs an aerial demonstration alongside a P-38 Lightning at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. for the 2025 Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course, March 2, 2025. The Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course is an annual event where military and c...