October 27, 2011 Military Aviation News

Langley's Raptors are flying again

10/27/2011

The up-again, down-again, F-22 Raptors at Langley Air Force Base are up again. The Raptors were authorized to fly as of Tuesday, said Monica Miller Rodgers, a spokeswoman for Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The commander of the 1st Fighter Wing had ordered a pause in flying last Thursday after a pilot reportedly experienced symptoms of hypoxia.

US man jailed for exporting military parts to Iran

10/27/2011

A Georgia man was jailed for nearly four years Wednesday for his role in a "broad conspiracy" to illegally export sensitive military equipment to Iran, officials said. Michael Todd, president of The Parts Guys company, was also ordered to forfeit more than $160,000 in connection with his efforts to supply Iran with components for US fighter jets and attack helicopters.

Bulgaria to Delay Purchase of Military Aircraft on Budget Cuts

10/27/2011

Bulgaria will delay the purchase of eight fighter jets to replace Soviet-era aircraft because of budget cuts next year. A procurement plan and tender for the acquisition of military aircraft will be postponed after the Cabinet decided to narrow the 2012 budget deficit to 1.35 percent of gross domestic product, from 2 percent this year, Defense Minister Anyu Angelov told reporters in Sofia today.

Syria an unlikely target for NATO

10/27/2011

While the win in Libya may reassure some of NATO’s critics and embolden its advocates, if you think it will pave a road to Damascus, think again. A unique alignment of conditions made intervention possible in Libya that is not present in Syria.

French fighter jets return from Libya

10/27/2011

France has begun withdrawing its combat aircraft from Libya operations, returning four Mirage F1s to France as operations come to a close following Muammar Gaddafi’s death and NATO’s withdrawal at the end of the month. On Monday four Mirage F1CRs returned to Base Aerienne 188 Mont-de-Marsan, after having been based at Souda, Crete, as part of Operation Harmattan, France’s contribution to NATO’s Operation unified Protector. On Monday two Mirage 2000Ds also returned from Souda.

Flight safety body denies Mi-8 grounding order

10/27/2011

Russian flight safety authority Rosaviatsia denies it has any plans to temporarily ground the nation’s fleet of Mil Mi-8T helicopters, the watchdog said on Wednesday following media reports that a ban was being considered. The Mi-8 and its updated variant, the Mi-17, is the most widely produced helicopter in history, and hundreds remain in service throughout the world, particularly in Russia and the former Soviet Republics.

First Saudi pilots begin training with Airbus MRTT program

10/27/2011

Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) crews started flight training on their first A330 MRTT with Airbus Military instructors at the Airbus Military Getafe facilities in Spain yesterday.

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