By Army News Service on Thursday, June 20th, 2013 Saber Strike 2013 concluded June 13 as training locations in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia held closing ceremonies to commemorate two weeks of establishment exercises inside the Baltics. “The exercise was an extreme success,” said Col. Frederick Jessen, U.S. Army Europe’s contingency-command post officer responsible. “We partnered with numerous nations improving our partner capacity and skill to command and control, enhancing our overall interoperability.” Hosted this year by Lithuania, and now in its third year of execution, Saber Strike involved approximately 2,000 military personnel from 14 nations including: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Czech... Read More »

By Air Force News Agency on Thursday, June 20th, 2013 The Air Force released details of the service’s plan to completely integrate women into previously closed career fields June 18. The implementation plan was recently submitted to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel for review. More than 99 percent of Air Force positions are currently already open to female Airmen. On the contrary, 2013 marks the 20 th anniversary of the dep. of Defense allowing women to function combat pilots. The Air Force plans to open the rest seven career fields — all tied to big operations — by Jan. 1,... Read More »

By Sagem on Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 PARIS AIR SHOW: Between June 10 and 13, Sagem (Safran) finished a brand new series of flight tests of its Patroller drone system in multi-sensor, multi-mission configuration, incorporating an airborne communications intelligence (COMINT) system. Designed for military missions, the COMINT system was integrated by Sagem in an underwing pod. It provides interception and positioning functions, together with technical analysis of V/UHF communications, including for frequency-hopping transmitters. This series of 7 test flights validated the Patroller drone’s ability to simply integrate a COMINT type electronic warfare system in a pod, complementing the Euroflir 410... Read More »

By Air Force News Agency on Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 The Air Force inactivated the 81st Fighter Squadron June 18, here, in support of force-shaping procedures around the service. The squadron employed the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the closure signals the tip of A-10 operations in Europe. “For 71 years, the lads and ladies of this fine squadron have ensured America’s security,” said Col. David Lyons, the 52nd Operations Group commander. “The 81st Fighter Squadron piloted some of the most iconic and legendary aircraft the realm has ever seen. It leaves me with one thought — that whatever … was... Read More »

By Army News Service on Thursday, June 20th, 2013 The Army is incorporating a brand new sensor capability into its Apache helicopters. The Apache Sensors Product Office has accepted delivery of the recent Modernized Day Sensor Assembly Laser Rangefinder Designator, or LRFD, the primary section of be fielded inside the Modernized Day Sensor Assembly. The laser represents increased capability to the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor, often called the “eyes of the Apache.” “This laser kit, what we call M-DSA phase one, is an investment by the military and this system Executive Office for Aviation, and we’re... Read More »