Air Combat Exercises

Latest in Air Combat Exercises

At least 20 U.S. Air Force tanker aircraft, 10 KC-46s and an equal number of KC-135s, supported the first day of the latest Bamboo Eagle exercise off the California Coast, according to online flight tracking data.
Air

Tankers Flood Airspace Off The California Coast For China-Focused Air Combat Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 11, 2025

F-35Bs on san clémente island for austere operations training during Steel Knight exercise.
Air

We Went With Marine F-35Bs As They Fought A Mock War From A Pacific Island

By James Deboer

Updated on Jan 22, 2025

Next summer, U.S. Air Force units will deploy from bases in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and elsewhere across the United States to forward locations in the Western Pacific as part of a massive new air combat exercise.
Air

Air Force Units Will Flood The Western Pacific In Huge New Airpower Exercise Next Summer

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 19, 2024

A Cessna Model 208B Grand Caravan converted into a cargo drone was among the participants in a recently concluded U.S. Air Force-led large force air combat exercise focused on preparing for a potential future conflict with China.
Air

Cessna Caravan Turned Into Cargo Drone Tested At China-Focused Airpower Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 16, 2024

Air National Guard F-16 Viper fighters pretending to be enemy cruise missiles together with tiny JSX-2 microjets mimicking cruise missiles and drones replicated complex threat scenarios during a recent large-scale exercise.
Air

F-16s Team With JSX-2 Microjets To Replicate Complex Cruise Missile And Drone Attacks

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

Tiny JSX-2 microjets able to act as surrogates for drones and cruise missile threats are supporting the Northern Strike 24-2 exercise.
Air

Tiny Jets Masquerading As Cruise Missiles Featured In Michigan Airpower Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 9, 2024

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 92nd Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron over the western United States during Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3, Aug. 5, 2024. Through employment of the KC-135 aircraft, the 91st ARS extends U.S. global power and global reach by planning and executing aerial refueling missions for U.S. and allied combat and support aircraft. During Bamboo Eagle, Air Mobility Command assets will support warfighters implementing all-domain combat-power generation from disaggregated basing locations throughout the western part of the U.S., along with distributed command and control, agile logistics, and tactical air-to-air refueling. Bamboo Eagle provides participating units opportunities to reoptimizing for Great Power competition and to focus on mission readiness by to deliver cross-functional and lethal combat capabilities with the speed and agility required to meet pacing challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)
Air

Massive China-Focused Air Combat Exercise Underway Off California Coast

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 9, 2024

Pacific Defender 24 will see European AirPower head to the Pacific.
Air

European Air Power Teams Up For Pacific Mega Deployment

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 26, 2024

Black Flag 24-1, out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, run by the Air Force’s 53rd Wing.
Air

Massive China-Focused Black Flag Test Exercise Flies Deep Into The Virtual Realm

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 28, 2024

F-22
Air

Massive New Air Combat Exercise Underway Along The California Coast

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Jan 30, 2024

William Tell
Air

William Tell Air Combat Competition Crowns Its Winners

By Jamie Hunter, James Deboer

Posted on Sep 19, 2023

Anduril's acquisition of Blue Force Technologies and its Fury drone is a latest development is an important story that could have broad ramifications for the US defense industry.
News & Features

The Rise Of Fury

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 11, 2023

William Tell Air Force
Air

William Tell Has Fighter Pilots Competing For Trophies Once Again

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Sep 11, 2023

Personnel from the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, also known as the Night Stalkers, recently took part in an exercise focused in part on the defense of strategic Shemya Island.
Air

Night Stalker Helicopters Train To Defend Strategic Alaskan Island

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 23, 2023

CSAR USAF Serbia
Air

U.S. Combat Rescue Helicopters Train With Old Foe Serbia For First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 18, 2023

US Marine Corps and US Air Force F-35s have been practicing tactics, techniques, and procedures they would use while working together with non-stealth fighters, like F-16s, in a future high-end fight during an exercise in Wisconsin.
Air

F-35s Keep F-16s In The Fight During Northern Lightning

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 15, 2023