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Volume 11 Number 1

World News
F-35B arrives at Patuxent River • Huge RAF cutbacks likely • Airbus A400M close to first flight • MV-22 Ospreys deploy to Afghanistan

PLUS! A special report on the RAF deployment of Merlin helicopters to Afghanistan

FIRST REPORT: Dubai Air Show

Front Line
Our hard-hitting regular column by Robert F. Dorr

Talon turns 50
The USAF T-38 Talon trainer marked its 50th anniversary in 2009. Jamie Hunter joined the 435th FTS at Randolph AFB to see the aging Talon in action and look at the new program that will ultimately see it replaced in service

 Greek SAM-busters
Illustrated with some of the finest ground photography ever used in this magazine, Ioannis Lekkas details the work of the Hellenic AF’s SEAD F-16 Squadrons

 Falcon Air Meet 2009
An exclusive photo feature from world-renowned camera ace Katsuhiko Tokunaga covering the Falcon Air Meet in Jordan

WORLD EXCLUSIVE
46 Tornado GR4 in Afghanistan
Jamie Hunter captured the first ever air-to-air images of the RAF Tornado GR4s with new external stores fits for their new Afghanistan mission. Combat Aircraft reports from No 31 Squadron as they prepared to deploy to Kandahar

Idaho’s Hot ‘Hogs’
As the Idaho ANG trained hard with new capabilities and upgraded aircraft, James Haseltine was on hand to capture the action. Robert F. Dorr details the work of this unit and forthcoming plans

 Predator School
Lt Col Lawrence Spinetta, commander of the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron at Creech AFB, Nevada, provides a compelling insight into USAF unmanned operations

US NAVY – FIGHTERS OF THE FIFTIES
F4D Skyray
Concluding our fascinating series on classic US naval jet fighters, Combat Aircraft showcases the F4D Skyray. LCDR Rick Burgess (Ret) details the service of the ‘Ford’, one of the classic designs from the US Navy at the height of the Cold War

AMX takes on Afghan mission
Luigino Caliaro details the latest Italian AF (AM) deployment to Afghanistan with its upgraded AMX ACOL and looks at the history of 51° Stormo as it marks its 70th anniversary

Crewroom
Our new interactive feature with product reviews and competitions

EXERCISE REPORT
Salitre II
Tieme Festner and Iwan Bögels travel to Chile to report on this latest international exercise

Baltic Defenders
As the Luftwaffe’s Eurofighters return from an action-packed deployment to the Baltic, Tieme Festner and Iwan Bögels report on JG 74’s scrambles and intercepts

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Volume 11 Number 2

 World News
A400M first flight • RQ-170 Sentinel revealed • RAF Harrier Force reduced • Nimrod MR2 axed • Growler achieves full-rate production • First Iraqi T-6s delivered

PLUS! A special report on the A400M first flight

 Front Line
Our hard-hitting regular column by Robert F. Dorr

 Labors of Hercules
It is the workhorse of Coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and the mighty ‘Herk’ remains irreplaceable. Robert F. Dorr looks at the USAF’s floundering upgrade program and examines the aircraft’s success

 The new Close Air Support
David Axe gets amongst the action in Afghanistan and examines a softer approach to close air support

 USS Nimitz on ‘Enduring Freedom’
Combat Aircraft embarks on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as the carrier supports Operation ‘Enduring Freedom’ over Afghanistan. Giovanni Colla reports

 Dragon Lady
At any given moment, day or night, USAF U-2 reconnaissance aircraft are maintaining watch from on high. The Lockheed U-2 remains a vital asset for the US and one that they can’t afford to say goodbye to just yet as Michael Balter discovers
PLUS FREE POSTER

 The last ‘Fulcrums’ of Hungary
While the Hungarian Defence Forces’ Gripens continue to work up, its MiG-29s are still providing air defense of their homeland. Zord Gábor László looks at the Hungarian ‘Fulcrums’ as they enter their last year of operations

 Harrier Force
Jamie Hunter interviews Wg Cdr Harvey Smyth, Officer Commanding No IV(AC) Squadron, who details how Joint Force Harrier is regenerating its full range of capabilities

 Mexican Tigers
They may be old, but Mexico’s F-5 Tiger IIs remain small and agile. José Antonio Quevedo details the current status of this nimble fighter that still provides the backbone of the Mexican AF’s fighter-interceptor force

 Today’s Top Guns
The movie Top Gun made US Naval aviators famous around the world. Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics looks as the current work of Top Gun and the wider US Naval adversary community

 B-17 to Berlin
The US Eighth Air Force launched the heaviest air raid against Berlin ever on February 3, 1945, as US Army Air Force B-17s delivered 3,000 tons of explosive and incendiaries against the heart of the Reich. Robert F. Dorr describes the missions and reveals the personal stories behind this massive operation

 Crewroom
Our new interactive feature with product reviews and competitions

 Libyan ‘Floggers’ — still going strong
Following on from our coverage of the LAVEX 2009 exhibition René van Woezik and Cees-Jan van der Ende take a closer look at Libyan MiG-23 operations, including the latest upgrades to the ‘Flogger’ fleet

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Volume 11 Number 3

World News
Haiti humanitarian effort • F-35B begins STOVL trials • RC-135s for the RAF • ASSTA2 Tornado trials • First Canadian CC-130J • Air war in Yemen • PAK-FA trials gather pace

PLUS! A special report on F-35 cost concerns by Robert Hewson

Front Line
Our hard-hitting regular column by Robert F. Dorr

Montana’s Vigilantes
The Montana Air National Guard at Great Falls International Airport has swapped its F-16s for F-15Cs. Ted Carlson visits the unit and looks at the new mission, as well as getting amongst the action for some incredible photographs

Defense policy as determined by the tabloids?
Jon Lake argues that recent UK defense policy decisions are geared towards ‘lowest common denominator’ public opinion, rather than meeting the actual requirements of the country

Desert Prowler?
After Combat Aircraft Monthly revealed incredible new images of the RQ-170 Sentinel last month, Jamie Hunter assesses the current status of the USAF’s stealthy unmanned air systems

Bloodhounds
As one of the US Navy’s most versatile test squadrons, VX-30 at Point Mugu is again re-inventing itself to take on new aircraft to meet a diverse role. Jamie Hunter reports on the unit’s latest activities

Red Devils
Having completed a successful detachment to Afghanistan, the Italian AF Tornado IDS fleet is also undergoing a comprehensive upgrade effort, as Luigino Caliaro describes

Serbian Air Power
Igor Salinger reveals the latest status of the Serbian AF and interviews its commander-in-chief

Sabres, Spads and Thuds
In the latest of our historic combat stories, Robert F. Dorr talks to Charles C. Vasiliadis about his fascinating USAF front-line career

Defending the Capital
The US Coast Guard operates a little-known but highly-important intercept mission around Washington with its H-65 Dolphin helicopters, as Tom Kaminski discovers

Crewroom
Our new interactive feature with product reviews and competitions

Chile’s fighter force
Cees-Jan van der Ende and Marcel Bos take to the skies over the Atacama desert and brief us on the Chilean AF’s increasingly potent front-line fighter capability.

PLUS
FREE AFGHANISTAN AIR OPERATIONS 16-PAGE SUPPLEMENT

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Volume 11 Number 4

World News
PAK FA flies • FY2011 US defense budget announced • UK Harrier squadron cutbacks • Third F-35B airborne • Kawasaki XC-2 maiden flight

PLUS! Special reports on aerospace trade shows in Singapore and Morocco

Front Line
Our hard-hitting regular column by Robert F. Dorr 26 Sukhoi T-50 — Russia’s Raptor
Russia is making some grand claims for its newly-flown next‑generation fighter, the Sukhoi T-50, but do they stack up? Jon Lake investigates the PAK FA’s prospects

 So Others May Live
Although Portugal’s introduction of the Merlin as a rescue helicopter has not been without difficulty, it is now well established in service, as Luigino Caliaro describes

Vipers over Vermont
Ted Carlson reports from Burlington International Airport, home to the famous ‘Green Mountain Boys’ of the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing, and its ‘Viper’-equipped 134th Fighter Squadron

Tomcat in a Furball
In this month’s ‘Glory Days’ feature, Dave ‘Bio’ Baranek takes us back to NAS Miramar, California — Fightertown USA — and the Topgun school, 1982-style

A Black Hawk with bite
Ofer Zidon looks at the armed UH-60 Yanshuf, currently under test in Israel

Schooling the Slovenian Air Force The Slovenian AF’s pilot training regime is examined by
Frank Toenders and Joost Michiels

‘We Train Hookers’
Neil Pearson visits NAS Meridian and embarks aboard the USS Harry S. Truman to find out how Training Air Wing One prepares student naval aviators to become tailhookers

Scramble! Why does Britain need QRA?
With defense cuts beginning to bite, the question of whether the UK needs to spend so much on its Quick Reaction Alert capability has been in the news. Jon Lake provides Combat Aircraft Monthly’s contribution to the debate

Crewroom
Our new interactive feature, including a look at the lady behind some of the US Navy’s brightest special schemes, and new product reviews

French Aggressors
Henri-Pierre Grolleau flies with Escadron d’Entraînement 2/2 ‘Côte d’Or’, the French AF’s aggressor squadron

PLUS!
FREE SUPPLEMENT
US Fighter programs
Your exclusive Combat Aircraft Monthly guide to current US fighter aircraft programs — we detail the background and current status of the F-15, F-16, F/A-18E/F and F-35

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Volume 11 Number 5

World News
KC-X: Boeing bids as Northrop Grumman opts out • Boeing lands QF-16 deal • Nimrod MRA4 accepted • F-35 costs soar • A400m deadlock broken

PLUS! A special report on exercise Red Flag

Front Line
Our hard-hitting regular column by Robert F. Dorr

The Spirit World
Angus Batey enjoys unprecedented access at Whiteman AFB as he discovers secrets of the B-2 Spirit community. He talks exclusively to RAF exchange pilots and the 509th BW commander

WB-57 — NASA’s Eyes on High
A detailed study of the NASA WB-57s discovers that the fleet may be increased and also reports on their recent work in Afghanistan. T. E. Bell gives the latest details on these charismatic high-altitude research aircraft

Exercise ‘Clockwork’
Patrick Allen packs his thermals for a snowy spell in Norway with the UK Joint Helicopters Command during winter exercise operations

Rotary Wing Test and Evaluation Squadron
An intensive program of upgrades and operational goals have made for a busy time for the UK’s Rotary Wing Test and Evaluation Unit at Boscombe Down, as Patrick Allen discovers

Project Liberty in Action
Neil Dunridge gains exclusive access to the USAF’s MC-12W Project Liberty aircraft deployed to Kandahar airfield, in the first of our reports in this issue on Afghanistan Air Operations

Afghan Goldstars
An incredible first-hand account of the RAF’s Tornado GR4 operations in Afghanistan by Officer Commanding No 31 Squadron ‘Goldstars’, Wg Cdr Ian Gale

India’s Bisons
They may be old but the MiG-21 Bison still represents a valuable capability for the Indian AF, as Dr Séan Wilson reports from Ambala

Tales of the Vigilante
The largest aircraft to be operational with US Navy carrier air groups, the RA-5C Vigilante saw extensive service in Vietnam. Warren Thompson looks at the career of this impressive beast in this month’s Glory Days feature

Crewroom
Our regular interactive feature with product reviews and competitions

Portuguese Falcons
Luigino Caliaro flies with the F-16s of Esquadra 201 ‘Falcões’ at Monte Real and details the Portuguese AF’s conversion to the MLU ‘Viper’

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Volume 11 Number 6

World News
Boeing offers Super Hornet multi-year deal to US Navy • RAF intercepts ‘Blackjacks’ • Second A400M flies • Volcanic ash cripples European aviation • RAAF Super Hornets delivered

PLUS! A special report on the retirement of the RAF Nimrod MR2

Front Line
Our hard-hitting regular column by Robert F. Dorr

New Look for the Russian AF
Stefan Büttner describes the changes in Russian AF force structure in this exclusive briefing, with stunning new photography

The Sharks of Bushehr
Phantoms with sharkmouths always deserve attention. Tom Cooper, Babak T. and Liam F. Devlin reveal the operations of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) F-4Es based at Bushehr and exclusive images show the Phantom’s new teeth

Lancer Force
The B-1B Lancer has played a valuable and changing part in combat operations in recent years. Robert F. Dorr reveals the operational experiences of the USAF ‘Bone’ crews

The Dragon’s Wings
In the first of a two-part feature, Chinese air power expert Andreas Rupprecht exclusively reveals the fighters of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force

USS Nassau Air Combat Element
Gert Kromhout reports from the USS Nassau and details the role of the US Marine Corps’ 24th Expeditionary Unit.

Counter-Invaders in Vietnam
The Invader was one of the first US combat aircraft dispatched to South-east Asia. Warren E. Thompson reveals the work of these counterinsurgency experts in the heat of battle

Denmark’s Fighter Equation
Denmark is in a similar situation to many other European air arms. Nico van Remmerden and Michael van der Mee look at the current Royal Danish AF F-16 operations. Jamie Hunter and Robert Hewson examine future fighter options for the nation

Crewroom
Our regular interactive feature with product reviews and competitions

Japan’s Sea Monsters
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s mighty ShinMaywa US-1A and US-2 amphibians are amongst the most impressive of the indigenous types operated by this fascinating air arm. David Halford and Richard Cooper visit Iwakuni to report exclusively on these long-serving rescue flying boats

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Volume 11 Number 7

World News
US Navy agrees Super Hornet multi-year deal • Jordan signs for AH-6i • RAF Meteor missile trials • Presidential helicopter latest • C-295 launches torpedo

PLUS! A special report on the SOFEX exhibition and Finland’s Hawk upgrades

Front Line
Our hard-hitting regular column by Robert F. Dorr

Drug-busting Night Wolves
Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics reports on the US Navy’s only dedicated counter-narcotics squadron, VAW-77 ‘Night Wolves’

Russia’s Victory DayCombat Aircraft takes a front-row seat for the Russian military parade on May 9. Stefan Büttner and Alexander Golz provide coverage of the truly superlative Russian military spectacle

Baltimore Hawgs at war
In early 2010 the 104th Fighter Squadron became the first Air National Guard unit to deploy to Kandahar Airfield, the new home of the A-10 in Operation ‘Enduring Freedom’. Neil Dunridge provides an exclusive insight into the unit’s operations over Afghanistan

Cleared Hot!
Following on from our A-10 combat operations coverage, David Axe reportd from the front line on the work of the Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs)

Red Arrows
Having suffered a setback in the form of a collision earlier this year, Jamie Hunter reports from RAF Akrotiri as the RAF Aerobatic Team gets back to full strength and prepares for the 2010 airshow season

Goodbye Gator
After a long and distinguished career, the USAF is bidding farewell to the T-43A as Jamie Hunter reports, with exclusive images by Maj Steve Snow

Skoshi Tiger
One of the lesser-known participants in the US air war in South-east Asia was the F-5A Freedom Fighter, deployed on an experimental basis under the ‘Skoshi Tiger’ project in the mid-1960s. The nimble F-5 packed an impressive punch for its size, and far exceeded expectations as Warren E. Thompson discovers

Kiwi Seasprites
Luigino Caliaro reports from No 6 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand AF, a unit responsible for the aviation component of the Royal New Zealand Navy, providing ship’s flights from its small fleet of multi-role SH-2G Seasprite helicopters.

Eyes in the sky
With the focus of air warfare increasingly on the support of ground troops, the targeting pod is evolving as Peter Donaldson explains

Crewroom
Our regular interactive feature with product reviews and competitions

The Dragon’s Wings
In the second part of our exclusive feature, Andreas Rupprecht details the fighter-bombers of the People’s Liberation Army