Final Deployments for P-3C Orions
The last of the US Navy’s P-3C Orions are on their final overseas deployments, reports The Drive. The patrol planes are being split between bases in Bahrain and Japan. The Navy is preparing to retire its Orions. Their replacements: P-8A Poseidons.
Blue Angels Set to Move to Super Hornets
The US Navy’s Blue Angels are tentatively set to start flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet in 2021. The move to the Super Hornet will mark the first time the fighter jet demonstration team has changed aircraft since it moved from the A-4F Skyhawk II to the F/A-18 Hornet in 1986.
Japan’s 1st F-35 Crashes in Pacific
The jet was less than a year old with a total of 280 hours in the air; it had been aloft 28 minutes before contact was lost. This is the second F-35 to crash since the jet’s first flight in 2006 and could reignite concern about the F-35 having only one engine.
F-35 Joins Philippines’ Training Exercise for 1st Time
The military exercise in the Philippines, Balikatan, has begun with US and Australian troops participating. For the first time, F-35B Lightning IIs join the training in Southeast Asia.
China Is Biggest Exporter of Combat Drones
China is now the biggest exporter of combat drones, with the Middle East among the main recipients.
Congress Hears Testimony on Military Base Water Contamination
Congress hears testimony today from DoD’s deputy assistant secretary of defense for environment about water contamination on military bases. Also testifying is a former Army reservist with at least 16 relatives near Colorado Springs’ Air Force and Army installations diagnosed with cancer.
Pentagon to Retire USS Truman Two Decades Early
The Pentagon wants to retire the Nimitz-class carrier USS Harry Truman two decades early, which would cut the US aircraft carrier fleet from 11 to 10.
F-35 Dominates Mock Combat Exercise
At the recent Red Flag mock combat exercise, the Air Force put the F-35 up against “the most advanced weapons systems out there,” and the stealth fighters apparently dominated — so much so that even the rookie pilots were crushing it.
F-35 Brings Billions to Md.’s Economy
The F-35 is expected to add $2 billion to Maryland’s economy over the next decade, and almost 6,000 civilian and military jobs to the region.
VA Health Care Could Merge with DoD’s
Parts of the VA health care system are being considered for merging into the DoD health care system, potentially impacting 19 million military personnel, retirees, dependents, and vets.
