Latest news with #AlanHughes
Newsweek
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Photo Shows China Missile System Replica Training US Fighter Pilots
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States is using a replica of a Chinese air defense missile system as part of its fighter pilot training in preparation for combat, the Wisconsin National Guard has said. Newsweek has contacted the Wisconsin National Guard and the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment via email. Why It Matters The Pentagon has designated the Indo-Pacific as its "priority theater," identifying China as both its "pacing threat"—a direct, consequential and near-term danger to U.S. security and values—and its "pacing challenge"—a long-term risk to U.S. influence, position and power. In July, U.S. forces participated in two large-scale Pacific war games simultaneously—the Australia-hosted, multinational Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and the U.S. Air Force's "first in a generation" Department-Level Exercise series—amid growing threats from China. What To Know According to a photo released by the Wisconsin National Guard on Tuesday, the Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center showcased an "HQ-16 towable surrogate target" during an aviation gathering at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on July 25. The HQ-16 is a Chinese medium-range air defense missile system. The towable surrogate target replicates the system's radar vehicle, a Chinese military observer who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the topic told Newsweek. United States Air Force Technical Sergeant Alan Hughes introduces guests to the HQ-16 towable surrogate target at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on July 25. United States Air Force Technical Sergeant Alan Hughes introduces guests to the HQ-16 towable surrogate target at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on July 25. Senior Master Sgt. Paul Gorman/U.S. Air National Guard In a news release, the Wisconsin National Guard said the Chinese air defense system replica serves as a full-scale training aid designed to familiarize fifth-generation fighter pilots with modern surface-to-air missile systems they may encounter in a combat scenario. The term "fifth-generation fighter" refers to aircraft designed with stealth capabilities that reduce their visibility to radar detection. Both the U.S. and China operate such combat jets and are racing to develop more advanced next-generation—or sixth-generation—aircraft. Full-scale mock-ups allow aircrews to train against realistic representations of peer and near-peer threats, according to David Cenciotti, the editor of the Aviationist. "Depending on the type of decoy, they can support visual identification as well as the detection of electronic signatures via onboard sensors," Cenciotti told Newsweek. He added that some of the world's most advanced training ranges were equipped with so-called high definition targets, which are used for both visual and sensor training. According to the Aviationist, the HQ-16 air defense system initially had a range of about 24.8 miles to intercept aerial targets, with the upgraded version extending this to about 46.6 miles. What People Are Saying U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Alan Hughes, a vehicle maintenance specialist assigned to the Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, said in a news release on Tuesday: "People are often familiar with our aircraft, but may not understand all the effort that goes into getting those planes into the fight. Our HQ-16 target display offers a tiny snippet of all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into keeping our pilots and aircraft combat-ready." David Cenciotti, the editor of the Aviationist, told Newsweek: "Similar mock-ups have been observed in the past at U.S. test ranges, as documented by reports and satellite imagery, and are often used to replicate adversary systems for threat emulation and pilot training." What Happens Next It is likely that the U.S. military has increased its use of such decoys in training. The most recent mock-ups in the U.S. all replicate Chinese military hardware, according to Cenciotti.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- BBC News
'Nightmare' for family of man who died in Malta balcony fall
The family of a 25-year-old who died after falling from a hotel balcony in Malta say they are "living in a nightmare".Kieran Thomas Hughes, from Gwynedd, was on holiday with friends when he fell at a hotel on the east of the Mediterranean island at Triq Spinola, St Julian's, on Friday."He was a special son and twin brother," his father Alan Hughes told Newyddion S4C, adding "the situation is unbelievable".North Wales Police said it was "assisting in supporting the man's family and liaising with the foreign office," and that the coroner has been notified. Kieran lived in Nant Gwynant and worked as a software engineer at the M-Sparc Science Park in Gaerwen, Anglesey.A former pupil at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Caernarfon, he also studied engineering at Bangor University. Keiran's family want him to be remembered as "happy, loving and full of life".Alan Hughes added the family's priority was to "work with the authorities in Malta to bring Kieran back home to Wales".He said they were "extremely grateful" for the hundreds of messages they've received, and that the "community around them has been incredible". Maltese police were called to the Cavalieri Art Hotel just after 04:00 local time on Friday and Keiran was pronounced dead at the local MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts, said: "It was clear that he had a very bright career ahead of him."In such circumstances everyone's hearts go out to the family as they face such a tragedy."
The Independent
14-07-2025
- The Independent
British tourist named after fatal fall from balcony in Malta
A British tourist who died after falling from a hotel balcony in Malta has been named by police. Kieran Thomas Hughes from Gwynedd in Wales fell from a balcony at the Cavalieri Art Hotel in St Julian's, a town on the east of the island, in the early hours of Friday morning (11 July). Emergency services attended but the 25-year-old died at the scene. His father, Alan Hughes, said the family was grateful for kind messages they had received but asked for privacy. He added that the family were awaiting further information from Malta Police, which is undertaking the investigation. Mr Hughes said that Keiran, who had a twin brother, worked as a software engineer and had 'a promising career ahead of him'. A spokesperson for the British Foreign Office confirmed they are in touch with the local authorities following Kieran's death. Siân Gwenllian, the Welsh Senedd member for Arfon, said: 'News of the death of a 25-year-old man from Gwynedd in Malta is truly devastating. 'The pain his family must be experiencing is unimaginable. 'My thoughts, and those of the people of Gwynedd, are with them in their grief.'
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Pictured: Brit tourist, 25, who died after fall from balcony in Malta
A British tourist who died after falling from his hotel balcony in Malta has been officially named and pictured. Keiran Thomas, 25, from Bangor, north Wales, died at the scene in St Julian's, a popular tourist town on the east of the island, on Friday morning. A medical team were called to Triq Spinola at around 4.15am, where they discovered Mr Thomas' lifeless body on the ground outside of the building. Malta Police's investigations into the tragic fall, which occurred at the Cavalieri Art Hotel, remain ongoing. Mr Thomas' heartbroken father, Alan Hughes, told the BBC that the family were thankful for the supportive messages they had received from members of the public. He also shared that his son, who had a twin brother, was working as a software engineer at the time of his death, with 'a promising career ahead of him'. On Friday morning, the road outside of the hotel was temporarily closed as emergency services worked on the scene before the body was taken away. By 9am, the hotel appeared to be operating as usual. A medical team were called to the Cavalieri Art Hotel (pictured) at Triq Spinola at around 4.15am, where they discovered Mr Thomas' lifeless body on the ground outside of the building. Malta Police's investigations into the tragic fall remain ongoing Welsh MP Sian Gwenllian, who represents Arfon, previously described Mr Thomas' death as 'truly devastating'. She said: 'News of the death of a 25-year-old from Gwynedd in Malta is truly devastating. 'The pain his family must be experiencing is unimaginable. 'My thoughts, and those of the people of Gwynedd, are with them in their grief.' Meanwhile, MP Liz Saville Roberts, who represents Dwyfor Meirionnydd, added: 'Heartbreaking news. My heart goes out to the young man's family at this extremely difficult time.' A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'We are in contact with the local authorities regarding the death of a British man in Malta.' It comes less than two months after a British holidaymaker was left fighting for his life after plunging from a Costa del Sol hotel. The tourist was rushed to the Costa del Sol Hospital in May in a 'critical condition' after the incident at the Hard Rock Hotel in Puerto Banus near Marbella. He was then transferred to the Regional University Hospital of Malaga after 5am on Sunday May 25, when the incident took place. Witnesses say the unnamed tourist fell from a first-floor balcony although it is said to have been the equivalent of a third-floor fall because of the area the hotel is built in. An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Extra.ie
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Big Boy ice cream causes hilarity at Ireland AM
Ireland AM host Alan Hughes got frazzled live on air this morning with a story from about a giant ice cream cone that has gone viral around the world. Yesterday we published the story about a shop in County Meath that has become famous because of their 99 ice cream cone, that is reportedly 9 inches tall, nicknamed the BIG BOY. Currans Service Station on the N3 between Dublin and Navan is selling the giant creamy treat to hundreds of punters every day, and they say they are expecting to be even busier in the coming days with the promised heatwave arriving this week. Poor Alan was put quite off his usual stride when trying to ask the live tv audience a simple question. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ireland AM (@irelandamvmtv) How much is a 99 in your area, is what he SHOULD have said, but it came out as 'How much is a 69 in your area'? Alans co-host Muireann O'Connell was doubled over with laughter as the host not only made the gaff once, but twice, when trying a second time to get it right. Pic: Kayleigh Payne It's easy to understand how it happened to Alan though, when the size of the ice cream cone is enough to cause exclamations of 'OH MY GOD' for anyone who has tried to tackle the delicious 9 inch tall ice cream at the County Meath store. What started off as a 'bit of craic' with the young staff in the shop, to see who could make the biggest cone, has now turned into a viral monster with over 500 of these tasty ice creams being sold every day, and demand is not showing any sign of slowing down either. The Big Boy Ice Cream cone – Pic: Fran Veale Long may it last, retailing at four euro it's the best value ice cream we have seen in, oh maybe 99 days of summer.
