Latest news with #F-15CEagle
UPI
22-07-2025
- UPI
On This Day, July 22: Longest total solar eclipse of 21st century
1 of 3 | A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle aircraft from the 44th Fighter Squadron out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, releases a flare over Okinawa, Japan, July 22, 2009, during a total solar eclipse. File Photo by Airman 1st Class Chad Warren/U.S. Air Force | License Photo July 22 (UPI) -- On this day in history: In 1864, in the first battle of Atlanta, Confederate troops under Gen. John Hood were defeated by Union forces under Gen. William Sherman. In 1916, a bomb hidden in a suitcase exploded during a Preparedness Day parade on San Francisco's Market Street, killing 10 people and injuring 40. The parade was in support of the United States' entrance into World War I. In 1933, Wiley Post completed his first solo flight around the world. It took him 7 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes. In 1934, bank robber John Dillinger died in a hail of bullets from federal agents outside Chicago's Biograph Theater. UPI File Photo In 1991, police arrested serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, finding human body parts stored in his refrigerator and freezer, and others decomposing in chemicals in a 57-gallon drum. Dahmer confessed to 17 murders in all. In 1992, cartel boss Pablo Escobar vanished along with 10 fellow prison inmates after they staged a riot and held four high-level government officials hostage for some 20 hours in Bogota, Colombia. In 1994, a U.S. federal judge ordered The Citadel, a state-financed military college in Charleston, S.C., to open its doors to women. File Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/UPI In 2003, Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusai were killed by U.S. forces in a 6-hour firefight at a house in Mosul in northern Iraq. In 2009, millions of people across Asia sought vantage points to view a rare 6 1/2-minute total solar eclipse, longest of the 21st century. It will not be surpassed until 2132. In 2022, Indians elected their first Indigenous tribal president, Droupadi Murmu, a former schoolteacher from the Adivasi community. In 2024, the Israeli military launched attacks on the safe zones of Khan Younis in Gaza, killing dozens of people. The Israel Defense Forces ordered tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians to leave the vicinity ahead of the strikes.
American Press
12-07-2025
- Business
- American Press
Chennault executive director stresses need for collaboration between parishes
Chennault International Airport Executive Director Kevin Melton talks with the Lt. Col. Cody 'Viking' Clark next to an F-15C Eagle with the 159th Fighter Wing out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans on Tuesday. The 159th participated in a joint exercise with the 2nd Bomb Wing out of Barksdale Air Force Base. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) It is going to take synergized collaboration between the five parishes of Southwest Louisiana to thrive economically. That's what Chennault International Airport Executive Director Kevin Melton said during his keynote address at the West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce's monthly business luncheon on Thursday. He spoke on the importance of business relationships for economic development and how Southwest Louisiana needs to nurture those connections. 'The one thing that I think we need to do a lot better of is work together,' he said. 'In the five-parish area, when I got here, we were very stove-piped. Everybody has their own agenda, they do their own thing, and we don't work collaboratively together.' With a focus on strategic plans where everyone works together, Southwest Louisiana can 'start making ourselves known,' he said. Chennault was re-established in 1986 to serve as an economic driver and job creation hub. The airport creates 2,805 direct and indirect jobs and has a $240.8 million annual economic impact, according to data from a DOTD 2022 Louisiana Airports Economic Study that Melton presented. Out of the 68 airports in Louisiana, Chennault ranks sixth in overall economic driving airport, second in total payroll and first in general aviation economic driver. These rankings are the outcome of the airport's focus on collaboration, he said. Twelve businesses are tenants at Chennault Park. Many of these businesses are in the aviation sector, such as Citadel Completions and Landlocked Aviation Services. But Chennault Park is also home to utility companies like Jeff Davis Electric Cooperative and government offices like Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. The businesses that lease space at Chennault help 'support the mission as a whole,' he noted. Multi-agency growth at Chennault is currently in motion. In October 2024, the multi-million-dollar Louisiana National Guard Readiness Center, a facility that houses soldiers who train there, opened on Sen. J Bennett Johnston Avenue. The Louisiana National Guard is also developing an 11,000-plus square-foot, $8 million heavy truck maintenance facility, Melton said. In March, Sowela Technical Community College got the final green light to build a $5.5 million Flight Training School at Chennault. Students will receive comprehensive training that will put them on the path to receive a Private Pilot's License or commercial flight training. This school has been a seven-year goal of Melton's, and construction should begin by the first quarter of 2026, he said. Funding and Growth Chennault is a 2,000-acre property. Melton and his team are looking to develop 800 to 900 of those acres. While he has big plans for Chennault and the surrounding area, the airport would not be able to maintain its operations, let alone expand them, with expensive infrastructure improvements, he said. 'Without the infrastructure, you cannot continue your operations. You cannot maintain your operating, nor can you grow.' In the 2024-25 fiscal year, Chennault made $25,212,968 in infrastructure capital investments. Notably, the new 1-210 corridor entry sign, which cost $150,000, was one of these investments. With investment comes a need for funding, but despite Chennault's economic impact, compared to other airports in Louisiana, it receives the least amount of federal funding, resulting in a reliance on millages to operate, he said. Chennault has received $315,000 in federal funding, compared to airports like Lafayette, which received $5.1 million, and Lake Charles regional, which received $19 million, Melton said. 'We're a top producer from an economic perspective, but look at what Chennault got,' he said. 'That math doesn't equate.' Melton highlighted the development plan for 'Site 1,' a lot where the Mallard Cove Golf Course used to be. The cost of the infrastructural improvements, which include a topographical survey, a drainage study and roadway design, totals about $18.1 million. That price tag is just five years of infrastructural prep work. While Chennault relies on tax dollars to operate and grow, Melton wants to funnel that money back into the community. He wants to do that by building up the I-10 corridor. His vision for the area includes grocers, coffee spots and retail shops along Sen. J Bennett Johnston Ave, paired with clean aesthetics and well-maintained properties, he said. 'It may take a little bit of time, but we're hopefully going to do some good things.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Night training flights set for 104th Fighter Wing in Westfield
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A heads up for anyone who lives near the Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, the 104th Fighter Wing is scheduled to conduct night training flights through Thursday. The night training helps pilots stay current with Air Force regulations as part of their training. During the night training maneuvers, pilots will be trained on both critical homeland defense and overseas wartime aviation skills. Westfield hosts annual Memorial Day Parade The 104th Fighter Wing has highly trained personnel that is ready to provide Air Superiority on demand anywhere with 21 assigned F-15C Eagle Aircraft. They are trained to provide 24/7 Aerospace Control Alert, providing armed F-15 fighters ready to scramble at a moment's notice to protect the northeast United States from any airborne threat, security for one-quarter of the nation's population, and over one-third of the Gross Domestic Product. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
American Press
30-04-2025
- General
- American Press
PHOTO GALLERY: Chennault hosts tactical training exercise
A B-52 strategic bomber from U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base and two F-15C Eagles from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans made a stop Chennault International Airport on Tuesday after participating in a joint exercise. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) A B-52 strategic bomber from U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base and two F-15C Eagles from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans made a stop Chennault International Airport on Tuesday after participating in a joint exercise. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) Chennault International Airport Executive Director Kevin Melton talks with the crew of a B-52 strategic bomber from the 2nd Bomb Wing based at Barksdale Air Force Base on Tuesday. The 2nd Bomb Wing and the 159th Fighter Wing from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans participated in a joint exercise on Tuesday. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) Col. David 'Ripper' Anderso, Commander of the 159th Fighter Wing from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, prepares to get out of a F-15C Eagle on Tuesday at Chennault International Airport. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) Ground crews check over an F-15C fighter jet from the 159th Fighter Wing from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans on Tuesday at Chennault International Airport. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) Col. Cody 'Viking' Clark with the gets ready to get out of his F-15C Eagle fighter jet on Tuesday at Chennault Internation Airport. The 159th Fighter Wing out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans held a joint exercies with the U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing out of Barksdale Air Force Base using Chennault as a base of operations. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) An F-15C Eagle with the 159th Fighter Squadron Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans arrives at Chennault International Airport on Tuesday after participating in a joint exercise with U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing out Barksdale Air Force Base. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) A B-52 strategic bomber with the U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing out of Barksdale Airforce Base lands at Chennault International Airport after participating in a joint exercise with F-15C Eagle fighter jets with the 159th Fighter Squadron from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) A B-52 strategic bomber with the U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing out of Barksdale Airforce Base lands at Chennault International Airport after participating in a joint exercise with F-15C Eagle fighter jets with the 159th Fighter Squadron from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) An F-15C Eagle with the 159th Fighter Squadron Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans at Chennault International Airport on Tuesday after participating in a joint exercise U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing out Barksdale Air Force Base. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) An F-15C Eagle with the 159th Fighter Squadron Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans pulls out of formation with a B-52 strategic bomber from U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base over Chennault International Airport on Tuesday after participating in a joint exercise. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) A B-52 strategic bomber from U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base and two F-15C Eagles from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans fly over Chennault International Airport on Tuesday after participating in a joint exercise. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press) Chennault International Airport Executive Director Kevin Melton talks with the Lt. Col. Cody 'Viking' Clark next to an F-15C Eagle with the 159th Fighter Wing out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans on Tuesday. The 159th participated in a joint exercise with the 2nd Bomb Wing out of Barksdale Air Force Base. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Night training flights set for 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The 104th Fighter Wing, based out of Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, is scheduled to conduct night training flights every night through Friday. Jupiter Power lithium battery project in Westfield canceled over eco concerns The night training helps pilots stay current with Air Force regulations as part of their training. During the night training maneuvers, pilots will be trained on both critical homeland defense and overseas wartime aviation skills. The 104th Fighter Wing has highly trained personnel that is ready to provide Air Superiority on-demand anywhere with 21 assigned F-15C Eagle Aircraft. They are trained to provide 24/7 Aerospace Control Alert, providing armed F-15 fighters ready to scramble at a moment's notice to protect the northeast United States from any airborne threat, security for one-quarter of the nation's population, and over one-third of the Gross Domestic Product. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
