F/A-18 vs. Citation near miss | Reno Crash Report | Upgraded AH-64 Apaches & More

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“If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn’t plan your mission properly”
-David Hackworth

FLIGHT LINE

✈️ Flying an Airbus out of a field: The saga of the Ural Airbus A320 continues. The airliner made an emergency landing in a field after running out of fuel back in September. The Russians are now planning to attempt to fly the A320 out of the field. Here are a few great quotes from Ural Airlines:

• "According to the preliminary technical assessment of specialists, the aircraft is in good condition"

• "The plane is not seriously damaged and will probably be able to carry out flights in the future”

• "Tests ... showed that the engines do not need repairing"

  

  Ural Airlines A320 Stranded in a Field

✈️ Reno Air Race Crash Preliminary Report suggests pilots were not “where they expected” in the landing pattern at the time of the crash. The two planes that collided were Race 6 and Race 14. According to the prelim report, the pilot of Race 66, as he approached the base position, visually acquired Race 6 and Race 14. He noted Race 6 was on a tighter base than the previous and Race 14 was on a wider base two flights for Runway 8. Both flying different patterns than previous days.

✈️ An F/A-18 had a close encounter with a Cessna Citation at Austin Airport, which triggered an FAA investigation. This incident is the latest in a series of near misses at Austin-Bergstrom, including close calls involving Delta and Frontier flights and a FedEx and Southwest Flight.

DEFENSE

🎯 Hamas launched a full-scale attack on Israel on 9 October. The U.S. has bolstered its military presence in the Middle East amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, deploying F-35 jets, F-15s, and the A-10. Four U.S. Navy Strike Groups are now underway across the globe. The USS Eisenhower left port Saturday to make way to the Mediterranean with the intent to relieve the USS Ford.

🎯 The USMC’s 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed an exercise early in Kuwait and has relocated near Bahrain, aligning with the arrival of the Navy’s Ford carrier strike group in the eastern Mediterranean. No word on where they are heading but they are ready “…for further tasking as a result of emerging events…”

🎯 The E-3 Sentry AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft USAF inventory is down to 18 aircraft. The 13th jet en-route to the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base left Tinker AFB on September 21, 2023. The Air Force plans to replace the E-3s with new E-7 Wedgetail aircraft based on the Boeing 737. The E-3s are based on a 707 airframe that first flew in 1957.

🎯 Boeing's upgraded AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, version 6.5, has taken its inaugural flight, showcasing enhanced software and an improved pilot interface. Features include improved Link 16 data link capabilities, enhanced pilot interface, and open architecture to incorporate follow-on technologies. The new model is set to feature GE’s T901 engine, promising extended operational capabilities.

🎯 Belgium has agreed to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but the provision won't occur until 2025. This decision is part of a broader NATO effort to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities amidst ongoing tensions with Russia.

AROUND THE GLOBE

🌎 China dispatched fighter jets to warn and monitor a U.S. Navy P-8 flying near the Taiwan Strait.

🌎 North Korea has tested a new missile, as confirmed by both North Korean and U.S. military officials. The missile was launched towards the Sea of Japan, escalating tensions in the region. This development came as the U.S. and South Korea conducted joint naval exercises, including the deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, in a show of allied military strength.

🌎 The western city of Herat in Afghanistan was struck by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake leaving over 2,000 dead.

🌎 The Taliban has joined China's Belt and Road Forum, marking a significant elevation in their ties. This development underscores China's willingness to engage with the Taliban, potentially opening avenues for investments and influence in Afghanistan.