MARINE PROWLERS
The US Navy may have said farewell to the EA-6B
Prowler, but the US Marine Corps is set to fly on with this charismatic
electronic warfare aircraft until 2019. Jamie Hunter travels to MCAS
Cherry Point to see the mighty Prowlers in action, with additional
reporting by Dr Séan Wilson
UNIT REPORT: EDWARDS TESTERS
Although
the days of ‘Chuck’ Yeager flying the Bell X-1 over southern California
have long been consigned to history, Edwards AFB is still home to ‘The
Right Stu ’. Frank Visser reviews the current situation at the largest
test wing within the USAF
COMBAT REPORT: IRAN TAKES ON ISLAMIC STATE
Babak
Taghvaee evaluates how Iranian F-4 Phantom IIs have been conducting
strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq in November
SPECIAL REPORT: AT DAJIAOCHANG
Ivan
Voukadinov presents an exclusive photo-report from Nanjing-Dajiaochang,
currently home to an impressive force of PLAAF H-6 bombers
ALPINE EXPERTS
Cristian
Schrik travels to Hörsching, the Austrian Air Force’s largest air base,
where the Düsentrainersta el (Jet Trainer Squadron) and its Saab 105s
are responsible for both pilot training and defending Austrian airspace
‘RED WOLVES’ SPECIAL OPS
US
Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 84 (HSC-84) ‘Red Wolves’ made a
unique visit to Europe in 2014. Cristian Schrik flew with the unit and
presents a profile of its Executive Officer
UNIT REPORT: KOREAN KIOWAS
The
US Army has been strengthening its presence on the Korean peninsula in
terms of both numbers and equipment. Gordon Arthur reports from Camp
Humphreys, home of the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade (2 CAB)
GLORY DAYS: BOMBCATS OF AIR WING 8
In
June 1996 Warren E. Thompson spent time on the USS John F. Kennedy with
Carrier Air Wing 8. As the aircrew conducted carrier qualifications, he
spoke to some of the more seasoned pilots about their experiences at a
time when the F-14 was taking on the ‘Bombcat’ role
TAIWAN’S TERRIFIC TRACKERS
The
Republic of China still operates the venerable Grumman S-2 Tracker in
the maritime roles for which this aircraft was originally designed.
However, the end of the type’s long and distinguished career is
approaching rapidly, as Gert Kromhout and Stephan de Bruijn report from
Pingtung Air Force Base
TO SUPPRESS AND DESTROY
Jonathan
Derden and Scott Wolff present a history of the US Air Force Wild
Weasels and chart the progress of the suppression of enemy air defenses
(SEAD) mission during past conflicts
CUTTING EDGE
Combat Aircraft’s monthly column by David Axe, reporting from the front line of aerospace technology
IN THE NEWS
Headline News
A-10 reprieved as it enters Iraq operations
US News
MV-22 Osprey tests rockets and missiles, F-35 engine inspections latest and all the unit news from around the US military
World News
Iranian
Tomcat update, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force celebrates 60 years and a
review of the new Chinese technology at the Zhuhai air show
Europe News
France orders Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker-Transport and Ukraine accelerates MiG-29 upgrades