Page 11 - Combat Aircraft (January 2020)

[NEWS]

RAF TYPHOONS IN ICELAND NORWAY GOES IOC WITH F-35

RAF EUROFIGHTER TYPHOONS deployed aircraft to Iceland and ROYAL NORWEGIAN AIR Force jets are expected to assume the
have arrived in Iceland for a one- is also the rst time the RAF has F-35As achieved initial operational quick reaction alert mission from
month deployment protecting covered the Icelandic mission. capability (IOC) on November Evenes Air Station in northern
local airspace as the UK’s O cer Commanding No 1(F) 6, after concluding a two-year Norway by 2022.
contribution to NATO’s Icelandic Squadron, Wg Cdr Mark Baker period of intense operational test In related news, Luke AFB,
Air Policing Mission. No 1 (Fighter) said: ‘We are very excited to be and evaluation (OT&E). Achieving Arizona, has unsurprisingly been
Squadron deployed to Ke avík Air here and are looking forward to the milestone means the ghters named as a candidate base for a
Base on November 13 from RAF starting ying operations. We will be permitted to deploy to Belgian F-35A Formal Training Unit
Lossiemouth, Moray, and they have come here at the request Iceland next year, in support of beginning in 2023. The training
were scheduled to remain here of the Icelandic government to the NATO Air Policing Mission. The unit will be located at the Glendale
until mid-December. provide a capable force designed declaration followed a deployment base for at least seven years. A
This is the rst time in more to o er reassurance and police the of F-35As from the Ørland Main site survey and environmental
than 10 years that the RAF has country’s airspace.’ Air Station to Rygge Air Station impact analysis will be conducted
near Oslo that was intended to to ensure the base can support
RAF Typhoon FGR4s arrive at Kefl avík on November 13 to start the local verify 332 Squadron’s ability to the additional ights before a nal
air policing mission. Crown Copyright operate the Lightning II away from decision is made by the secretary
its home station. The Norwegian of the air force.
Norway has announced IOC for its F-35As. RNoAF

HH-60WS DELIVERED

TO DUKE FIELD TRAINING SPECIALS

THE 96TH TEST Wing’s 413th Flight support developmental testing, Training Wing Two (TRAWING 2) at NAS Kingsville, Texas,
has painted T-45C BuNo 163656 in a special scheme
Test Squadron received the rst were delivered by crews from based on the Texas fl ag. It’s the latest of a number of
of two HH-60W Combat Rescue the Detachment 2, 88th Test designs aimed at helping to promote squadron culture.
Helicopters at Eglin AFB’s Duke and Evaluation Squadron (TES). Brandon Thetford
Field in Florida, on November The initial operational test and
6. A second example arrived evaluation program that will
following a ve-hour ight from follow is expected to begin in
the Sikorsky Developmental mid-2021. Moody AFB’s 347th
Flight Center near West Palm Rescue Group in Georgia will
Beach, Florida, the following be the rst operational unit to
day. The helicopters, which will receive the HH-60W.

The fi rst new HH-60W combat rescue helicopter arrives at Eglin AFB’s
Duke Field in Florida, on November 6. The aircraft was delivered to the
413th Flight Test Squadron. USAF/Samuel King Jr The 80th Flying Training Wing (FTW) at Sheppard AFB, Texas, has
applied a ‘Heritage Scheme’ to each squadron fl agship in the wing.
This T-6A (serial 03-3689) is from the 89th Flying Training Squadron
(FTS) ‘Banshees’. Brandon Thetford

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