Eclipse 500 #Just_Fly http://www.perlagrp.com/ http://www.charlesdalberto.com/blog/

Eclipse 500  #Just_Fly    http://www.perlagrp.com/   http://www.charlesdalberto.com/blog/

New Zealand Replaces Old Seasprite Helicopters - Charles D'Alberto

Charles D’Alberto

The New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) five Kaman SH-2G(NZ) Seasprite naval helicopters became officially retired Thursday. They will be replaced by eight newer model, SH-2G(I) helicopters.

April 21 will see the last flight of the NZ model when the remaining aircraft return from assisting the disaster relief recovery operation in Fiji. The SH-2G(NZ) aircraft have served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) since August 2001.

“Upgrading the naval helicopter fleet from five to eight plus a simulator gives the New Zealand Defence Force a significant increase in capability, allowing the Navy to embark up to three helicopters from ships concurrently as opposed to the current two that are available,” Chief of the Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies, said.

Unusually, the Naval Helicopter Force Seasprites are maintained by the RNZAF but operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy.

In addition to improved performance and sensors the ‘I’ model Seasprite is armed with AGM-119 Penguin anti-ship missiles, replacing the AGM-65 Mavericks used with the earlier model Seasprites.

Posted By Charles D'Alberto

 

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Russian military jets and US destroyer clash in Black Sea – Charles D’Alberto

Moscow accuses American warship of ‘acting aggressively’

Russian military jets and US destroyer clash in Black Sea ‘posing danger to stability’

Russia has scrambled military jets in response to an American navy destroyer which, it has been reported in Russian media, was acting “aggressively” in the Black Sea.

The Russian defence minister, speaking at a security summit in Singapore, said US missile ships operating near Moscow’s territorial waters “pose a danger to strategic stability” between the two countries.

State news service RIA Novosti quoted a military source as saying the USS Ross was sighted heading straight for Russian waters after leaving the Romanian port of Costanta on Saturday.

“The crew of the ship acted provocatively and aggressively, which concerned the operators of monitoring stations and ships of the Black Sea Fleet,” RIA reported.

Posted By Charles D'Alberto

 

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F-22s deploy to RAF Lakenheath - Charles D'Alberto

Charles D’Alberto

USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs

4/11/2016 – RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — The U.S. Air Force has deployed F-22 Raptors, Airmen and associated equipment to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 11, to conduct air training with other Europe-based aircraft.

The F-22s are deployed from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and will continue training until May.

The 5th generation, multi-role fighter aircraft will also forward deploy from the U.K. to NATO bases to maximize training opportunities, affirm enduring commitments to NATO allies, and deter any actions that destabilize regional security.

The training marks the second time the U.S. European Command has hosted a deployment of F-22 aircraft in the EUCOM Area of Responsibility.

For further information, contact U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Public Affairs at +49 (0) 6371 47 6558 or via e-mail at: usafepao.pao@us.af.mil. If after duty hours, call +49 0162-425-5428 or send e-mail to: usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.

Posted By Charles D'Alberto

 

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IMCMEX About More Than Mine Hunting – Charles D’Alberto

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) — The latest iteration of the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) is about more than mine hunting, said the commander of U.S. naval forces in the Middle East as he met with reporters April 9, to discuss the exercise.

Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, told members of the international media, here to observe IMCMEX, the exercise demonstrates global resolve in maintaining freedom of navigation and the free of flow of maritime commerce.

The exercise includes mine countermeasures, diving operations, small-boat exercises, maritime security operations coordinated with industrial and commercial shipping, unmanned underwater vehicle operations, and port clearance operations.

Donegan noted the region provides an effective training opportunity, as three of the world’s major maritime chokepoints are located here: the Suez Canal in Egypt, the Strait of Bal Al Mandeb between Djibouti and Yemen; and the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran.

“Nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil transits through the Strait of Hormuz every day,” Donegan said. “

Imagine the impact on the global economy if suddenly that oil stops flowing because of restricted sea-lanes. This region is clearly important to the whole world. This exercise is a great opportunity for us to build proficiency and test the latest technology available for ensuring the global maritime commons stay open and secure.”

Donegan spoke with reporters alongside the deputy commander of the Combined Maritime Forces, Royal Navy Commodore William Warrender. Warrender is the officer leading this year’s IMCMEX. “The exercise itself allows us to undertake practical training and to test our equipment in an exceedingly realistic environment,” Warrender said.

International maritime forces representing more than 30 nations from six continents are taking part in IMCMEX. Donegan praised the efforts of the exercise’s participants, noting their contributions strengthen the collective ability to counter threats to freedom of navigation while working with the maritime industry to protect the free flow of commerce anywhere in the world.

“Our partnership with commercial and industry shipping is a unique strength of this exercise. We continue to effectively operate together, and with partner nations, further highlighting the ability to safely escort commercial ships,” said Donegan.

IMCMEX will also demonstrate new technologies, such as unmanned underwater vehicles. It also exercises the sealift capabilities of the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Choctaw County (T-EPF-2) and the afloat forward staging base USS Ponce (AFSB(I)-15), equipped with the U.S. Navy’s only operational laser weapon system.

IMCMEX began April 4 with a symposium in Bahrain on Maritime Infrastructure Protection bringing together governments, militaries and industry to discuss how to best provide the necessary foundation of security that supports unrestricted access to the vital maritime infrastructure that is critical to regional and global economies.

The exercise will continue through April 26.

Posted By Charles D'Alberto

 

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Two Russian pilots killed in helicopter crash over rebel territory in Syria - Charles D'Alberto

Charles D’Alberto

The Russian ministry of defence said initial investigations showed the aircraft was not shot down

Two Russian pilots have died in a helicopter crash over rebel territory in Syria.

A spokesperson for Russia’s ministry of defence said the Mi-28N attack helicopter came down in Homs province in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

“The bodies of the dead pilots were removed during search and rescue operations and are currently at the Hmeymim Airbase,” he added.

Activists put the location of the wreckage in rebel-held territory outside of Homs city, where Russian air strikes have recently been reported.

Local opposition groups, al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusraand Islamist group Ahrar ash-Sham are known to be active in the area.

The pilots’ deaths bring the number of Russian servicemen killed in Syria since the country’s intervention started in September to at least eight.

Posted By Charles D'Alberto

 

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Boeing Awarded $922 Mill Contract to modify Apache 117 AH-64E helicopters – Charles D’Alberto

Charles D’Alberto

Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $922,628,257 modification (PZ0011) to contract W58RGZ-14-C-0018 for 117 AH-64E remanufactured Apache helicopters.
Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2018.

Fiscal 2015 and 2016 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $922,628,257 were obligated at the time of the award.

Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Posted By Charles D'Alberto

 

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