June 2012

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NEWS

Editorial

Headlines

United Kingdom

Europe

North America

Latin America

Middle East

Africa

Russia

Asia Pacific

Australasia and Contracts

Attrition

COVER STORY: No Longer a Tiger Lair
Sebastien Buyck reports on the closure of Cambrai, one of France’s most famous fighter bases, and the disbandment of EC 1/12.

Canada and the F-35: “Nearly Played For Fools…”
Blair Watson looks at the most recent developments in Canada’s F-35 procurement plan – could the Canadian Government be the first victim of the Joint Strike Fighter’s spiralling cost?

Cavalry Business
A year on from the start of NATO’s campaign in Libya against pro-Gaddafi forces, Frederic Lert reveals for the first time how the ALAT (French Army Light Aviation) sounded the charge in best cavalry fashion.

Manas – Main Gate to Afghanistan
Martin Scharenborg and Ramon Wenink/Global Aviation Review Press report on the activities of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing based at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan, Asia.

MINI POSTER – II(AC) Squadron’s Centenary Tornado GR4.

Feedback
Letters and e-mails from the Editor’s postbag – it’s been an interesting month for lots of reasons!

FALKLANDS 30: Tracking over the South Atlantic
In 1982, the Argentine Navy’s Comando de Aviación Naval (Naval Air Arm) anti-submarine Escadrille was an important part of the fight against the British. Santiago Rivas talks to an ex-S2 Tracker pilot.

FALKLANDS 30: Super Étendard: Strike Against the Sheffield
Augusto Bedacarratz was an Argentine Navy Lt Commander in 1982, and one of ten CANA pilots trained to fly the Super Étendard. He commanded the flight that attacked HMS Sheffield – recently he talked to Santiago Rivas.

FALKLANDS 30: Aircraft of the Campaign
Art profiles of aircraft featured in this month’s stories.

FALKLANDS 30: Herculean Task
Of all the British types that participated in the Falklands War of 1982, few remain in service. Derek Bower highlights the C-130K Hercules’ involvement in Operation Corporate.

FALKLANDS 30: A Very Remarkable Helicopter
The RAF has one of its most famous aircraft still serving on the front line – Chinook HC2 ZA718/BN, otherwise known as ‘Bravo November’.

FALKLANDS 30: RAF Today
Fighter aircraft have come and gone in the three decades since the Falklands conflict, but the RAF steadfastly remains in the vanguard of protecting islanders nearly 8,000 miles from the British mainland.

Battling Pirates in the Indian Ocean
Christopher Szabo reports on measures to combat piracy off Mozambique.

Portugal vs Pirates
Paulo Mata looks at Portugal’s attempts to control piracy within the Gulf of Aden.

Force Report: Slovenian Air Force
During 2011, the armed forces of the Republic of Slovenia celebrated the 20th anniversary of the independence of their state. Robin Polderman visited the air force in this mountainous NATO-member country to see how it has evolved.

Exercise Report: Lion Effort 2012
The air forces of the Gripen User Group gathered in March at Ronneby, home of the Swedish Air Force’s (SAF) Blekinge Wing. Tomislav Mesaric reports.

Exercise Report: Cold Blaze 2012
Stephan de Bruijn/Bluelife Aviation reports on a Dutch helicopter exercise in deepest Norway.

Exercise Report: Tac Blaze 2012
Alan Worsley files from Cumbria as Dutch helicopters make their biannual pilgrimage.

Low-fly UK!
AFM’s essential guide to military low-level photography locations in the UK reaches number 3 in the top ten.

Postcard from New Zealand
Bob Franklin travelled down under for the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s 75th birthday airshow at Ohakea.

Postcard from Morocco
AFM’s Jerry Gunner was in Marrakesh for the biennial international air show.

Postcard from Chile
Robin Polderman visited Chile’s biennial Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE).

And Finally… Jubilee Tucano
Andy Donovan talks to Flight Lieutenant Jon ‘Bondy’ Bond, 27, who will be displaying the Queen’s Jubilee-inspired painted RAF Tucano T1 basic ‘fast jet’ trainer to crowds at over 60 airshows across the UK and Europe this year.

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