Serbia Gets Chinese Missiles | D.C. Vipers to MD | Saudi Arabia Eyes New 5th-Generation Fighter

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Edited by: Sidney McAlear

HISTORY OF THE DAY

January 6, 1945: On this day during World War II, the Japanese launched one of the largest and deadliest kamikaze attacks against Allied naval forces in the Battle of Lingayen Gulf, part of the campaign to liberate the Philippines. The USS New Mexico, a U.S. Navy battleship, was struck by a kamikaze plane, causing severe damage and killing over 30 crew members. The commanding officer, Captain Robert Walton Fleming, was among those killed, as well as Lieutenant General Herbert Lumsden, who was the British representative to General Douglas MacArthur. Lumsden became the highest ranking British Army combat fatality of WWII.

This attack marked a significant escalation in the use of kamikaze tactics, as the Japanese military increasingly relied on these desperate measures to counter the overwhelming Allied naval and air superiority. The Lingayen Gulf campaign itself was critical, as it opened the path for the invasion of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines, and brought Allied forces closer to Japan’s home islands.

THREAT OF THE DAY…via Wikipedia

HQ-22 Surface-to-Air Missile System
Country of Origin: China
Nickname: Red Banner-22
Initial Operating Capability (IOC): 2017
Proliferation Countries: China, Serbia (as FK-3 export variant)
🔺Range: 100 km (62 miles)
🔺Altitude Ceiling: 27 km (88,500 feet)
🔺Speed: Mach 6 — welp, if you can dodge a wrench….

🔺Guidance: Semi-active radar homing (SARH) with radio-command fallback in electronic interference environments
🔺Launch Method: Oblique-launch capability
🔺Engagement: Each unit includes 4–8 transporter erector launchers (TELs), with each TEL capable of carrying four missiles. The radar allows engagements of up to six targets simultaneously.
🔺Targeting Capability: Aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles
🔺 Comparisons: Often compared to the American Patriot PAC-3 and Russian S-300 systems

“Fun” Facts:
The HQ-22 debuted at the 2016 Zhuhai Air Show, signaling China's evolution in air defense technology. While not as long-ranged as the HQ-9 or Russia's S-300 systems, its emphasis on electronic warfare capabilities and stealth countermeasures makes it a formidable system. Exported as the FK-3, the system has garnered attention globally, particularly with Serbia’s adoption—marking China's growing influence in European defense markets.

As a second-generation development of the HQ-12, the HQ-22’s integration of semi-active radar guidance and advanced ECM features underscores its role in modernizing China’s air defense network, offering a critical bridge between medium and long-range defense solutions.

FLIGHT LINE

🎯  Japan Set to Acquire 1,200 AMRAAM Missiles | Japan has secured a deal to purchase 1,200 AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) from the U.S., worth $3.64 billion. This move boosts Japan’s defense capabilities amid regional tensions, aligning with its strategy to strengthen air defense systems against potential threats in the Indo-Pacific.

🎯 Viper’s in…Hawg’s Out | In a groundbreaking agreement, the 121st Fighter Squadron's F-16s will transfer from D.C.'s Air National Guard to Maryland's 175th Wing, ensuring Maryland retains a flying mission as the A-10C Thunderbolt II is phased out by September 2025. The deal is tied to Maryland relinquishing control of the Washington Commanders' stadium site to D.C., enabling redevelopment plans. In exchange, Maryland secured funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge repair and preserved its Air National Guard's aerial mission. The F-16s will remain at Joint Base Andrews, with integration details between the units still pending.

*For the question below it is intended to be WWI not WWII…unfortunately once you hit send the poll is locked in*

🎯 Final Active Duty HH-60G Pave Hawk Mission at Aviano Air Base | The last active-duty HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter has flown its final mission at Aviano Air Base, marking the end of an era. This iconic aircraft, central to combat search and rescue operations, will now be retired as the Air Force transitions to the new HH-60W Jolly Green II. The first HH-60W arrived at Aviano Air Base on December 13th via a C-5 Galaxy.

🎯 Serbia Strengthens Air Defense with Chinese HQ-22 Missiles | Serbia has bolstered its air defense network by deploying the Chinese HQ-22 surface-to-air missile system. Delivered in 2022, the deal included six batteries, marking a significant step in Serbia’s military modernization. The HQ-22, often compared to the U.S. Patriot and Russia’s S-300 systems, offers a range of up to 170 kilometers (105 miles) and can target aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles. This acquisition reflects Serbia's strategic pivot to diversify its defense capabilities and enhance its military deterrence.

🎯 Chinese Citizen Arrested for Drone flight over Vandenberg Space Force Base | Yinpiao Zhou, a 39-year-old Chinese national and U.S. resident, was arrested at San Francisco International Airport while attempting to board a flight to China. He is accused of illegally flying a drone and capturing images of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

🎯 Fiery Plane Crash Kills 179 in South Korea's Deadliest Airline Disaster Since 1997 | A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok crash-landed at Muan International Airport on December 29, skidding off the runway and erupting into flames, killing 179 of the 181 passengers and crew onboard. Investigators are probing for potential bird strikes and other factors that may have caused the Boeing 737-800 to belly-land without visible landing gear.

🎯 Azerbaijan Airlines ERJ-190 Tragedy in Kazakhstan | An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190 crashed near Aktau Airport on December 25, 2024, killing 38 of the 67 on board. Preliminary findings suggest the aircraft was shot down by Russian air defenses targeting Ukrainian drones. The crash occurred after failed diversions due to bad weather. Investigations involve multiple countries, with black boxes sent to Brazil for analysis. Survivors include 29 people, 11 of whom sustained serious injuries.

🎯 Saudi Arabia Eyes 100 Turkish KAAN 5th-Gen Fighter Jets | Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering acquiring 100 KAAN 5th-generation fighter jets from Turkey. During Prince Turki bin Bandar Al Saud's visit to Turkish defense firms, discussions focused on strategic collaboration, including potential technology transfer and local manufacturing in Saudi Arabia. The KAAN program, launched in 2016, aims to replace Turkey's aging F-16s. Mass production is expected by 2028, with two jets produced monthly by 2029. The proposal highlights deepening Saudi-Turkish defense ties, following Saudi Arabia's recent $3 billion investment in Turkish-made Akinci drones.

🎯 Russian 'Ghost Fleet' Ship Crew Detained Over Baltic Sea Cable Damage |
Finnish police have detained eight crew members of the Eagle S, a Russia-linked tanker suspected of damaging the Estlink-2 power cable between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. The ship allegedly dragged its anchor along the seabed, causing the cable outage. The Eagle S, flagged in the Cook Islands, is described as part of Russia's "shadow fleet," which operates with minimal oversight amid sanctions. Finnland joined NATO in 2023.

🎯 Pakistan Eyes 40 Chinese J-35 Stealth Fighters | Pakistan is reportedly planning to purchase 40 J-35 stealth fighter jets from China to bolster its air force capabilities. The advanced jets are seen as a response to regional tensions and the need for a modern fleet. The J-35, derived from China's FC-31 platform, boasts stealth features and advanced avionics. This would help Pakistan replace their aging F-16 fleet.

🎯 Ex-US Marine to Be Extradited for Alleged Training of Chinese Pilots | Former US Marine Daniel Duggan will be extradited from Australia to the US on charges of training Chinese military pilots. Duggan, who faces up to 65 years in prison if convicted, denies the allegations, claiming he trained civilian pilots. Duggan was arrested in Australia in 2022 based on a 2017 US Grand Jury indictment. Duggan renounced his US citizenship at a US Embassy in Beijing in 2016, which was backdated to 2012 when he became an Australian citizen.

🎯 US Drops $10 Million Terror Bounty on New Syrian Leader After Meeting |
The US has removed a $10 million bounty on Ahmad al-Julani, the new Syrian leader and head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), following a meeting in Damascus. The decision signals a potential shift in US policy toward Syria after the fall of the Assad regime. Al-Julani, long considered a terrorist by Washington, pledged to distance HTS from extremist activities and cooperate on regional stability. Fun fact: HTS is rooted in al-Qaeda but split in 2017….so all good.

Trivia:

Luke Air Force Base, located in Arizona, is named after Second Lieutenant Frank Luke Jr., a fighter pilot during World War I. Known as the "Arizona Balloon Buster," Luke was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his extraordinary bravery, taking down 14 German observation balloons and 4 aircraft in just 17 days before being killed in action. On September 29, 1918, Luke downed three enemy observation balloons while being chased by enemy aircraft. He dropped low, strafing enemy positions and killing several. His aircraft was hit and forced him to land. He was quickly surrounded by enemy forces demanding that he surrender. Luke instead drew his sidearm and began fighting before succumbing to enemy fire.