Latest news with #F-15E
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Sends Advanced F-15 Jets To Frontline Air Base Near China
The United States has sent advanced versions of the F-15 fighter jet to Kadena Air Base in Japan as part of efforts to respond to China's growing threat. The U.S. Air Force's 18th Wing-the host unit at Kadena-confirmed the arrival of the F-15EX jets, saying they were there to "conduct integration and familiarization training." Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment via email. Kadena Air Base is a U.S. air power hub located on Okinawa Island in Japan's southwestern waters. It forms part of the First Island Chain under a U.S. containment strategy aimed at restricting China's military activities across the Western Pacific Ocean in the event of war. As the closest U.S. air base to Taiwan-the self-ruled island that China has threatened to take by force-the Pentagon plans to replace Kadena's 48 F-15C/D fighter jets with 36 newer F-15EX jets, which are capable of carrying more air-to-air missiles. According to photos shared by a Japanese aircraft spotter on X (formerly Twitter) and a report by Japanese media, a group of four U.S. Air Force fighter jets comprising a pair of F-15EX jets, an F-15E jet and an F-16C jet-arrived at Kadena Air Base on Saturday. In a press release issued the same day, the 18th Wing said the F-15EX jets-assigned to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida-will help prepare Kadena Air Base personnel for the deployment of the advanced combat aircraft in spring 2026. The visit marked a milestone in the Pentagon's effort to modernize U.S. air power in the region and deter evolving threats, as it provided pilots and maintainers the opportunity to train in the environment where they will operate the aircraft, according to the 18th Wing. The F-15EX aircraft will ensure Kadena Air Base "remains postured to address the dynamic security environment in the Indo-Pacific region," as they are equipped with advanced avionics and weapon systems, as well as expanded capabilities, the Japan-based unit explained. The specialist outlet The War Zone reported in late June that Kadena Air Base is expected to host two squadrons of F-15EX jets, each operating 18 aircraft. However, that number could increase to 21, as the U.S. Air Force has requested an expansion of the total fleet size. While Kadena's fighter jet fleet transitions from the F-15C/D to the F-15EX, the western Pacific base will maintain a steady presence of fighter aircraft through rotational deployments of fourth- and fifth-generation jets, including the F-15E and the stealthy F-35A. The U.S. Air Force 18th Wing said in a press release on Saturday: "The 18th Wing remains steadfast in its mission to provide credible combat airpower to deter regional aggression, assure allies and partners, and, if necessary, defend Japan." U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Nicholas Evans, commander of the 18th Wing, said in a press release on Saturday: "This [F-15EX] visit ensures we can seamlessly integrate the aircraft into our mission sets and maintain the airpower advantages needed in this region." It remains to be seen whether the U.S. will accelerate the deployment of F-15EX jets at Kadena as China rapidly modernizes its air power with advanced fighter aircraft. Related Articles Iran's Army Makes New Threat: "War for 10 Years"Clashes Kill Dozens in America's Newest Friend in the Middle EastIran and China Challenge US as Alliance GrowsNorth Korea Warns US Over Strategic Bombers Near Airspace 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
'Best deception ever seen': US F-16 pilot reveals how a 30 kg device fooled Pakistan into thinking it downed a Rafale
In a major development in air warfare, the Indian Air Force (IAF) reportedly used artificial intelligence-powered technology during a four-day military operation with Pakistan in May 2025. Ryan Bodenheimer, a former US Air Force F-15E and F-16 pilot, described Operation Sindoor as a breakthrough in modern aerial combat, as reported by At the core of the operation was the Rafale's X-Guard, an AI-powered towed decoy system that played a decisive role in neutralising Pakistani air threats. AI-driven X-Guard key to success The X-Guard system is developed by Rafale Advanced Defense Systems. It uses artificial intelligence to generate a 500-watt, 360-degree jamming signal. The device weighs 30 kilograms and trails behind the aircraft on a 100-meter-long fiber-optic cable. It copies the radar signals and Doppler effect of an actual Rafale jet, making it difficult for enemy radar systems and missiles to detect the real aircraft. Ryan Bodenheimer, a former US Air Force F-15E and F-16 pilot, called the X-Guard 'the best spoofing and deception we've ever seen.' He added that the system may have 'redefined the rules of electronic warfare .' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Serbia (Prices May Surprise You) Container House Search Now Undo IDRW report suggested that Pakistan's Chinese-made PL-15E air-to-air missiles and J-10C fighter jets could not successfully detect or target the actual Indian jets. The decoy confused enemy radar and misled missile systems. The PL-15E missile, which is an export version of China's PL-15, lacked advanced resistance to spoofing. The X-Guard may have also confused the KLJ-7A AESA radar on Pakistan's J-10C fighters into thinking they had locked onto and hit Rafale jets. Decoy proves reusable, rapid, and reliable The X-Guard works faster than older US systems like the AN/ALQ-50 or ADM-160 MALD. It can be launched in under two seconds and retrieved for reuse. According to Business Today, citing Jane's Defence Weekly, some Pakistani claims of shooting down Indian Rafales may actually have been hits on these decoys. Live Events The system acts like a 'decoy wingman,' attracting enemy fire away from the actual aircraft. The fiber-optic link between the pilot and the decoy allows real-time updates on missile activity and system status, without being affected by jamming efforts. A new chapter in air warfare Operation Sindoor highlighted how AI-driven technology can change the nature of air combat. By using tools like the X-Guard, the IAF was able to reduce visibility without sacrificing control or effectiveness. The mission showed that future air dominance may depend more on electronic deception than physical engagement.
New York Post
20-06-2025
- General
- New York Post
Former US fighter pilot claims he nearly collided with UFO in ‘wildest experience' he's ever had
A former US combat fighter pilot claims a UFO encounter he had while zipping around in the sky at 30,000 feet was one of the 'wildest experiences' he's had in his seasoned military career. Maj. Ryan Bodenheimer, a former ace of the US Air Force Thunderbirds and F-15E combat fighter pilot, recounted on his YouTube channel earlier this month how he came close to almost colliding with a UFO shaped like a 'perfect rectangle' while on a training mission in southern Wyoming. Bodenheimer alleged that he was flying during the day at about 30,000 feet in the sky, at a speed of 400 knots (460 mph), when a 'bright object' caught his attention off in the distance, 'out of nowhere.' 4 US Air Force Maj. Ryan Bodenheimer, United States Air Force Thunderbirds pilot #2 speaks with JROTC students at Vanden High School, Fairfield, Calif., on May 5, 2017. U.S. Air Force However, Bodenheimer realized that the object was on a 'collision course' with his aircraft. 'I put my hand on the control stick, I'm about to turn off the autopilot, and then I realized we weren't going to hit, and all of a sudden it came more into view, and it was a rectangular shape,' he said. 'This was like essentially a perfect rectangle.' He claims the object appeared to be '30 to 40 feet' high, with 'bright white' along the outside edges that looked to be 'glowing' and a clear center. 'I know it sounds like I'm talking about a delicious pastry, but this was the wildest experience I've ever had,' the former fighter pilot said. Bodenheimer, for a moment, theorized that the object could be a weather balloon, but he claimed that it didn't look like anything he had ever seen in the sky before. 4 Bodenheimer alleged that he was flying during the day at about 30,000 feet in the sky, at a speed of 400 knots (460 mph), when a 'bright object' caught his attention off in the distance, 'out of nowhere.' Youtube / Max Afterburner 'There's no wings on this thing, no exhaust. The edges were so bright they were pulsing. Aerodynamically, this thing shouldn't be going at close to 400 knots. For a rectangle to be flying through the air was a wild experience,' he said. He said that he wasn't picking up any signal on his radar and wasn't experiencing any radio interference as it kept pace with his jet at 400 knots just a short distance away. 'It really was defying any type of aeronautical laws that I've learned,' Bodenheimer shared. The suspected UFO then 'zooms off,' and Bodenheimer said he called into air traffic control to report the encounter. 4 Bodenheimer claims the object appeared to be '30 to 40 feet' high, with 'bright white' along the outside edges that looked to be 'glowing' and a clear center. Air Force Thunderbirds 4 Bodenheimer maneuvers his F-16 Fighting Falcon on the flight line at Langley Air Force Base, Va., on April 24, 2016. U.S. Air Force After telling the controller what happened, he said there was a 'dead silence' before they told the fighter pilot they'd have other aircraft be on the lookout for the object. 'I never heard anything about it [after],' the former fighter pilot said. However, he did do some searching of his own and said there was a report filed that day on an 'anomalous object' spotted in his area. Bodenheimer said for years he never wanted to discuss his two run-ins with UFOs after worrying about the 'stigma' around other pilots who have shared their encounters. However, the pilot-turned-YouTuber said that since the stigma has dissipated, he is more comfortable opening up about his experience, with more reports of military pilots encountering UFO-like objects in the sky over the last two decades. Southern Wyoming is notoriously known for having some of the most UFO sightings in the country, according to the Cowboy State Daily. The city of Cheyenne, which is home to Warren Air Force Base, has had over 50 reported aerial phenomena, out of the state's 421 sightings since 1995.
Mint
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
After sitting out the Iran attack, US steps in to help Israel intercept missiles
The U.S. military is operating in the air, on land and at sea to shoot down Iranian missiles fired at Israel in response to its attacks on Iran's nuclear program and military leadership, tilting Washington toward more direct involvement in the widening conflict. Iran has fired about 200 ballistic missiles in four barrages and more than 200 drones toward Israeli territory so far in response to multiple waves of Israeli strikes, an Israeli military official said. Before the retaliatory strikes even began, U.S. jet fighters, Navy destroyers and ground-based air-defense systems had positioned to help counter any attack, according to U.S. officials. The U.S. played a central role in defending Israel from Iranian attacks last year, when the Biden administration assembled forces to contain Iran's attacks as the longtime foes traded blows on two occasions. In the second of those attacks, Iran fired around 200 missiles targeting Israeli military and intelligence sites. Some penetrated Israel's antimissile defenses, raising fears that another attack could inflict serious damage, particularly if it targeted civilian areas. This time, the Trump administration has sent mixed signals about how involved the U.S. is willing to become in a protracted Israeli war with Iran. President Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to hold off on attacking Iran and give diplomacy a chance. When Netanyahu raised the issue of a strike again on Thursday, Trump said the U.S. wouldn't stand in the way but wouldn't help in the attack, officials familiar with the call said. Once it was under way, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement distancing the U.S. from the attack. It didn't take long for the U.S. to get pulled in as the fighting escalated. Trump endorsed the strikes Friday, saying they created better conditions for talks on dismantling Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. hasn't openly joined offensive action against Iran. The Pentagon is still waiting for a battlefield assessment to determine how many projectiles the U.S. intercepted, the U.S. officials said. A number of overnight impacts were reported around the Tel Aviv area, causing three deaths and property damage. If the conflict between Israel and Iran deepens, the U.S. might need to send more troops and military assets to defend Israel against retaliatory attacks. American military bases and embassies in the region, or even around the world, could be targeted by Iranian proxies. In the hours leading up to the first Iranian retaliatory launches on Friday, one of the officials said, the Pentagon mobilized jet fighters around the Middle East to defend U.S. troops and interests, which Tehran had threatened to target in the event of an attack. Last year, the U.S. used F-15E and F-16 warplanes to intercept drones launched at Israel by Iran. U.S. ground-based interceptors also helped defend Israel in the latest barrages, the officials said. The U.S. operates several Patriot antimissile batteries across the region, moving them around to address perceived aerial threats. They are concentrated in Arab countries on the Persian Gulf, where the U.S. operates sprawling military bases, as well as Jordan and Iraq. There is currently at least one Thaad advanced missile-defense battery in Israel. It was moved there during the Biden administration to augment Israel's antimissile defense after Iranian attacks in April 2024 and last October. Thaad, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, is operated by the U.S. Army and designed to intercept missiles inside or outside the atmosphere during the final phase of flight. A typical Thaad battery is crewed by nearly 100 soldiers and consists of six truck mounted launchers, a transportable radar and a fire-control unit. The Thaad has been used repeatedly to intercept Houthi missiles fired at Israel from Yemen, according to Israeli officials who said it is sometimes used together with Israel's Arrow system, which also intercepts long-range ballistic missiles. U.S. Navy destroyers have also shot interceptors at Iranian missiles aimed at Israel this week, one of the U.S. officials said. When Iran attacked Israel last year, U.S. warships in the Mediterranean shot down ballistic missiles, though the U.S. reduced its naval presence in the Middle East after Trump announced a cease-fire with the Houthis last month. Write to Stephen Kalin at and Nancy A. Youssef at
Wales Online
06-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
US Air Force statement deepens mystery of ground-shaking explosion
US Air Force statement deepens mystery of ground-shaking explosion A ground-rattling 'boom' was heard in the sky above Gwynedd and Anglesey on Tuesday afternoon, with the leading theory being that it was caused by a sonic boom" Two US Air Force F-15E aircraft were in the vicinity at the time the 'explosion-like' noise was heard (Image: PA ) The enigma surrounding a massive "explosion" that caused windows to rattle and the ground to shake in parts of Wales on Tuesday afternoon has intensified. Residents in Gwynedd and Anglesey were left baffled by what has been described as a thunderous "boom" that echoed through the skies. With no earthquakes reported by the British Geological Survey, which monitors the UK, and no explosion-related call-outs for the fire service, the mystery had deepened further after a US Air Force statement was issued. Online speculation suggested a "sonic boom" might be responsible, an occurrence that results from an aircraft exceeding supersonic speeds and breaking the sound barrier. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Despite the RAF denying any flights in the vicinity at the time, the US Air Force's admission that they were investigating the incident lent credence to the sonic boom theory. A representative acknowledged on Wednesday morning that there was a possible "sonic boom" over North Wales under review, reports North Wales Live. Article continues below Yet, the plot thickens as the US Air Force later clarified their position with a new statement. A spokesperson informed North Wales Live: "The 48th Fighter Wing had two F-15E aircraft in the area of North Wales at the time in question, but neither aircraft had a supersonic event." Local Gwynedd councillor Arwyn Roberts, who was in Caernarfon when the noise occurred, described it as "one hell of a bang" noting the ground-shaking impact and the buzz it created among residents. He remarked: "You could feel the ground shaking. It has got everyone talking. People are talking about it everywhere." Cllr Roberts reported that individuals from as distant as Benllech on Anglesey and Porthmadog had heard it. Article continues below
