# pacific air forces (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 2 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover pacific air forces. Page: Feed: --- ## [Virtual Foundations Courses Coming for Enlisted Airmen in PME Reorg](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/virtual-enlisted-airmen-foundations-courses-p-reorg/) _2026-08-22 · Matthew Cox · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ The Air Force plans to offer virtual enlisted Foundations courses Airmen can take at their convenience as part of a larger effort to modernize enlisted professional military education, or EPME. The post Virtual Foundations Courses Coming for Enlisted Airmen in PME Reorg appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [Saab Unveils A3-001 Collaborative Combat Aircraft Concept](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/22/saab-unveils-a3-001-cca/) _2026-08-22 · Parth Satam · The Aviationist_ Saab plans to fly the first A3-001 demonstrator within 18 months, with three prototypes planned as the design evolves. Swedish defense company Saab unveiled on Aug. 21, 2026 a full-scale model of its next-generation unmanned fighter aircraft, called the A3-001. The unveiling comes ahead of the Jubilee Air Show on Aug. 22 and 23 at \[…\] ## [China’s Y-15 Turboprop Tactical Cargo Aircraft Emerges in Clearest Images Yet](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/22/chinas-y-15-clearest-images-yet/) _2026-08-22 · Parth Satam · The Aviationist_ New details emerged in the recent photos of the Shaanxi Y-15, initially known as Y-30, which is believed to be China’s future tactical transport aircraft. China’s new Y-15 four-engine turboprop transport aircraft, developed by the Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation (SAC), has appeared in its clearest images yet. The aircraft is the latest development in Shaanxi’s long-running \[…\] ## [U.S. Approves Air-to-Air APKWS Sale to Italy](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/21/u-s-approves-air-to-air-apkws-sale-to-italy/) _2026-08-21 · Stefano D'Urso · The Aviationist_ The U.S. State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Italy of the air-to-air variant of the APKWS-II, which would include over 5,000 guided rockets. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Italy of the air-to-air variant of the Advanced \[…\] ## [Former Air Force Secretary James G. Roche Dies at 86](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/former-air-force-secretary-james-roche-dies-at-86/) _2026-08-21 · admin · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ James G. Roche, the 20th Secretary of the Air Force from 2001-2005, died Aug. 4. He was 86. As Secretary, Roche led the Air Force through the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and subsequent preparations and campaigns in Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003. The post Former Air Force Secretary James G. Roche Dies at 86 appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [Minot, Andersen Facilities Deteriorating as Military Building Repairs Lag, GAO Says](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/minot-andersen-facilities-crumbling-as-military-building-repairs-lag-gao-says/) _2026-08-21 · Steve Losey · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ Vital infrastructure at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, is suffering due to years of deferred maintenance and climate-related stressors, government auditors said in a new report—two prominent examples of larger issues affecting bases worldwide. The post Minot, Andersen Facilities Deteriorating as Military Building Repairs Lag, GAO Says appeared first on Air & Space… ## [Space Command to Relocate 200 Personnel to Alabama This Year](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-command-to-relocate-200-personnel-to-alabama-this-year/) _2026-08-21 · Courtney Albon · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ U.S. Space Command officials say they’re on track to relocate 200 personnel from Colorado Springs, Colo., to Huntsville, Ala., by the end of this year as part of a multiyear transition of the command’s headquarters. The post Space Command to Relocate 200 Personnel to Alabama This Year appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [8 Dead as Contractor Plane Crashes near Remote Alaska Radar Site](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/8-dead-as-contractor-plane-crashes-near-remote-alaska-radar-site/) _2026-08-21 · Greg Hadley · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ A small civilian plane carrying eight people and contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers crashed Aug. 20 near a remote Alaskan radar site managed by the Air Force in support of NORAD, killing all aboard. The post 8 Dead as Contractor Plane Crashes near Remote Alaska Radar Site appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [Swedish Gripen Launches Taurus KEPD 350 Cruise Missile for the First Time](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/21/swedish-gripen-launch-taurus-missile/) _2026-08-21 · Stefano D'Urso · The Aviationist_ A Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripen C launched for the first time a Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile over the Vidsel Test Range. The Swedish Air Force released a video on Aug. 21, 2026, announcing that a JAS 39 Gripen launched for the first time a Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile. The live fire \[…\] ## [New White House Helipad Shown Off to Reporters Ahead of Completion](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/21/new-white-house-helipad-shown-off/) _2026-08-21 · Kai Greet · The Aviationist_ President Trump toured the ornate, granite helipad under construction on the White House South Lawn with reporters, adding his signature to a piece of the stonework that could see use as soon as next month. Commissioned following the long, highly publicized drama of the new VH-92A Patriot helicopters being unable to land at the White \[…\] ## [Brisk AI News Briefings (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/5Bko33JRp5Dr) _2026-08-21 · **Sponsored**_ Read AI summaries and listen to audio briefings for top stories. ## [F-15EXs Are Headed to Seymour Johnson AFB](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/21/f-15exs-are-headed-to-seymour-johnson-afb/) _2026-08-21 · Stefano D'Urso · The Aviationist_ The Secretary of the U.S. Air Force confirmed that Seymour Johnson AFB is the planned recipient of the F-15EX Eagle II aircraft included in the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Troy Meink confirmed in a letter to Senator Ted Budd that Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, \[…\] ## [Air Force Inks Deal for New Dorms at Medical Training Campus](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-inks-deal-for-new-dorms-at-texas-medical-training-base/) _2026-08-20 · Matthew Cox · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ The Air Force is negotiating a potential $1.4 billion deal to replace five dormitories—reportedly suffering from mold, failing air conditioning systems, and foundational defects—that housed thousands of U.S. military medical trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The service selected the Layton/Gensler contractor and design team to construct five 400,000-square-foot… ## [Japan Intercepts Chinese TB-001 ‘Twin-Tailed Scorpion’ Drone Over East China Sea](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/20/japan-intercepts-chinese-tb-001/) _2026-08-20 · Parth Satam · The Aviationist_ The TB-001 was intercepted alongside a Y-9Z electronic warfare aircraft as Chinese and Russian aircraft continue to operate in Japan’s Air Defense Identification Zone. Japan has said China’s Tengden TB-001 “Twin-Tailed Scorpion” surveillance-strike drone has been probing its airspace, triggering scrambles by Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fighter jets. The Tengden TB-001 is a large \[…\] ## [Osan Drills Target North Korea’s Growing Drone Threat](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/osan-drills-north-korea-growing-drone-threat/) _2026-08-20 · Todd South · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ Some 50 miles from the border with North Korea, U.S. and South Korean forces recently executed their first counter-drone defense drills targeting medium-sized systems, which the North Korean military has has prioritized based on Russia and Iranian models. The post Osan Drills Target North Korea’s Growing Drone Threat appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [MQ-9 Lost in Middle East Last Year Due to Chafed Wire: New Report](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/mq-9-lost-in-middle-east-chafed-wire-accident-report/) _2026-08-20 · Greg Hadley · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ A frayed wire in an MQ-9 caused fuel to be cut off from the engine last August, leading to the drone “catastrophically” landing in the Middle East where the wreckage was destroyed in place, according to a new Air Force investigation report. The post MQ-9 Lost in Middle East Last Year Due to Chafed Wire: New Report appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [Seymour Johnson Will Get F-15EXs to Replace Some Strike Eagles](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/seymour-johnson-f-15exs-replace-strike-eagles/) _2026-08-20 · Steve Losey · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ The Air Force plans to put new F-15EX Eagle II fighters at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., to replace older F-15E Strike Eagles that will move to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The post Seymour Johnson Will Get F-15EXs to Replace Some Strike Eagles appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [Navy Invests in Shield’s Vertical-Takeoff Drone; Air Force Holds Off](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/navy-x-bat-investment-air-force/) _2026-08-20 · Greg Hadley · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ Shield AI, a specialist vying to provide the autonomy software for the Air Force’s autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has won government backing for its X-BAT drone—but not from USAF. The post Navy Invests in Shield’s Vertical-Takeoff Drone; Air Force Holds Off appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [Golden Dome Secrecy Poses Challenge for Estimating Costs](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/golden-dome-secrecy-challenge-cost-estimates/) _2026-08-20 · Courtney Albon · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ While Pentagon officials have revealed some details about the architecture behind the Golden Dome missile defense project, crafting an independent cost estimate for a largely classified program remains a challenge, experts said Aug. 19. The post Golden Dome Secrecy Poses Challenge for Estimating Costs appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [Block II Upgrades for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Clear Critical Design Review](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/19/block-ii-upgrades-for-e-2d-cdr/) _2026-08-19 · Parth Satam · The Aviationist_ The Block II’s open architecture for the E-2D’s mission systems, computers and displays enhance cockpit functionality, support future upgrades and improve sensor fusion. The U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft’s Block II upgrades have completed the Critical Design Review (CDR), Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy announced on Aug. \[…\] ## [US, S. Korea Scale Back Exercise on Trump’s Orders as PACAF Reviews Drills](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us-south-korea-ulchi-freedom-shield-exercise-trump/) _2026-08-19 · Todd South · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ The joint U.S.-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will end Aug. 21, a week earlier than previously planned, at the behest of President Donald Trump—a move that comes as U.S Air Force is already reviewing its exercise schedule in the Pacific. The post US, S. Korea Scale Back Exercise on Trump’s Orders as PACAF Reviews Drills appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [Code Faster with Clear Tutorials (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/jP4P4zJxTDfw) _2026-08-19 · **Sponsored**_ Short, step-by-step coding videos you can follow along ## [Air Forces Southern Focuses on Intel Sharing for Major SOUTHCOM Exercise](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-forces-southern-intel-sharing-southcom-exercise-panamax/) _2026-08-19 · Todd South · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ A major U.S. Southern Command exercise this month brought representatives from 10 Latin American countries to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., for the air component of the event, with a focus on intelligence sharing for coordinating air operations. The post Air Forces Southern Focuses on Intel Sharing for Major SOUTHCOM Exercise appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [AFA Urges Congress to Fully Fund Space Force, Ramp Up F-35 Procurement](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/afa-letter-congress-space-force-f-35-procurement/) _2026-08-18 · Greg Hadley · Air & Space Forces Magazine_ The Air & Space Forces Association urged congressional leaders this week to fully fund the Space Force’s record-breaking $71.1 billion budget request for fiscal 2027, increase F-35 procurement, and finish revisions to troops’ Basic Allowance for Housing. The post AFA Urges Congress to Fully Fund Space Force, Ramp Up F-35 Procurement appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine . ## [JASDF F-15’s Landing Gear Collapses on Landing at Naha Airport](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/18/jasdf-f-15s-landing-gear-collapses/) _2026-08-18 · Stefano D'Urso · The Aviationist_ The main landing gear of a JASDF F-15 collapsed during landing, causing the aircraft to slide on the runway and turn 180 degrees as it slowed down. An F-15 of the Japan Air Self Defense Force appears to have suffered a left main landing collapse while landing at Naha Airport on Aug. 18, 2026. The \[…\] ## [RTX Receives $22 Billion Contract to Accelerate Tomahawk Production](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/18/rtx-contract-accelerate-tomahawk-production/) _2026-08-18 · Parth Satam · The Aviationist_ The award follows other investments in munitions production capacity aimed at reducing delivery times, strengthening supply chains and supporting U.S. and allied demand. Raytheon, an RTX business, has received a $22.9 billion, seven-year contract from the U.S. Navy to accelerate production of Tomahawk cruise missiles, the company and Department of War announced on Aug. 17, \[…\] ## [NASA’s New ‘Vomit Comet’ Has a Secretive Air Force Past](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/17/nasas-new-vomit-comet-has-a-secretive-air-force-past/) _2026-08-17 · Stefano D'Urso · The Aviationist_ The Boeing 737-700, formerly operated as N712JM, spent years as a secretive U.S. Air Force flying testbed, and is now becoming NASA’s new reduced-gravity research aircraft with the registration N837NA. NASA has unveiled on Aug. 13, 2026, its newest reduced-gravity research aircraft, which will support the Artemis program to validate astronaut lunar suits and associated \[…\] ## [GE’s T901 Engine Clears Preliminary Flight Rating for UH-60 Black Hawk](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/17/ge-t901-engine-preliminary-flight-rating/) _2026-08-17 · Parth Satam · The Aviationist_ The next-generation T901, developed as part of the ITEP program, cleared the Preliminary Flight Rating and will now proceed toward full airworthiness qualification testing. The T901 engine developed by GE Aerospace to replace the T700 engines powering the U.S. Army’s UH-60M Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache fleets has completed Preliminary Flight Rating (PFR) testing, the \[…\] ## [Kadena’s First F-15EX Breaks Cover](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/17/kadenas-first-f-15ex-breaks-cover/) _2026-08-17 · Stefano D'Urso · The Aviationist_ The first F-15EX Eagle II destined to Kadena Air Base in Japan broke cover, flying with the “ZZ” tail flash and the markings of the 18th Wing. The first F-15EX Eagle II destined to Kadena Air Base, in Japan, has received the “ZZ” tail flash and the markings of the 18th Wing. The aircraft, 22-0022, \[…\] ## [Iconic Shuttleworth DH.88 Comet Racer Damaged After Landing Incident](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/16/dh88-comet-damaged-after-landing-incident/) _2026-08-16 · Kai Greet · The Aviationist_ The only airworthy example of an original de Havilland DH.88 Comet nosed-over while landing following a display at Shuttleworth’s Flying Proms. The pilot was quickly extracted, and has since been discharged from hospital after medical checks. G-ACSS, named Grosvenor House, is a staple of the Shuttleworth Collection’s yearly program of flying displays at Old Warden, \[…\] ## [CENTCOM Launches Multinational Attack Drone Task Force ‘Falcon Strike’](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/15/centcom-task-force-falcon-strike/) _2026-08-15 · Stefano D'Urso · The Aviationist_ Task Force Falcon Strike will bring together U.S. and regional forces operating one-way attack drones in the air, on the surface and underwater. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is taking the next step in its rapidly expanding use of One-Way Attack (OWA) drones. On Aug. 13, 2026, the command announced the creation of a new \[…\] ## [Chinese National Sentenced to Six Months After Unlawfully Photographing Whiteman AFB](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/15/chinese-national-sentenced-photo-whiteman-afb/) _2026-08-15 · Parth Satam · The Aviationist_ Authorities said Wu’s repeated photography of Whiteman AFB’s infrastructure, including after a warning, distinguished the case from ordinary aircraft photography. Qilin Wu, the Chinese national who in January was charged with unlawfully photographing Whiteman AFB, Missouri, home to the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 Spirit bombers, was sentenced to six months in federal custody by U.S. \[…\] ## [Play Both Sides Of The Lie (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/m2iMdcYK9XRk) _2026-08-15 · **Sponsored**_ Two operatives, one manufactured war — uncover the Complete Truth after both campaigns. ## [U.S. Army Selects M1 for Flight School Next Program](https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/14/us-army-selects-m1-flight-school-next/) _2026-08-14 · Stefano D'Urso · The Aviationist_ The U.S. Army M1 Support Services to train new pilots as part of the Flight School Next program, with the Robinson R66 helicopter replacing the UH-72 Lakota. The U.S. Army announced on Aug. 13, 2026, the selection of M1 Support Services for the Flight School Next program which will take over the training of new \[…\]