fighter jets - The African Mirror

Jun

2023

Fighter jets chase small plane in Washington area before it crashes in Virginia

THE United States scrambled F-16 fighter jets in a supersonic chase of a light aircraft with an unresponsive pilot that violated airspace around Washington D.C. and later crashed into the mountains of Virginia, officials said. No survivors were found at the crash site, Virginia state police said. The jet fighters created a sonic boom over the U.S. capital as they pursued the errant Cessna Citation, officials said, causing consternation among people in the Washington area. Four people were onboard the Cessna, a source familiar with the matter said. A Cessna Citation can carry seven to 12 passengers. After several hours…

Feb

2023

By ELIZABETH PIPER and ALISTAIR SMOUT

Ukraine’s Zelenskiy calls for ‘wings for freedom’ fighter jets on trip to Europe

WORLD

PRESIDENT Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged Britain and others to give Ukraine "wings for freedom" by sending combat aircraft to help turn the tide against Russia's offensive, hoping to overcome Western reluctance to take that step. Western countries have scaled up their pledges of military aid for Ukraine this year with promises of hundreds of tanks and armoured vehicles as well as longer-range weapons, but have so far refused to deliver warplanes. Britain said it wanted to start training Ukrainian fighter pilots as soon as possible and was investigating which jets London could send, but with a caveat that this was long-term action rather…

Nov

2022

By The African Mirror

South Korea scrambles jets after detecting North Korean military flights near border amid tensions

WORLD

SOUTH Korea's military said it scrambled fighter jets after detecting about 180 North Korean military flights north of the two countries' border over four hours. The North Korean aircraft flew north of the so-called tactical action line, north of the Military Demarcation Line between the two Koreas, South Korea's military said in a statement. The virtual line is used as a basis for South Korean air defence operations, a South Korean official said. South Korea scrambled 80 aircraft, including, F-35A stealth fighters, in response. About 240 aircraft participating in the Vigilant Storm exercises with the United States continued the drills,…