Buzz Aldrin Becomes Oldest Thunderbirds Passenger

April 4, 2017

Retired Air Force colonel and astronaut Buzz Aldrin set another record April 2, becoming the oldest person to fly with the Air Force’s Thunderbirds. Aldrin, 87, flew with the Air Force’s demonstration team over Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A on Sunday as part of the Melbourne, Fla., Air & Space Show, the Thunderbirds said in a Facebook post.

Related Content

Air Force Awards JADC2 Contract, Worth up to $950 Million, to 27 Companies

July 1, 2022
The Air Force’s plans for its portion of joint all-domain command and control have taken a major step forward. The service awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity, multiple-award contract worth up to $950 million to 27 companies. The IDIQ deal will give 27 contractors the opportunity to compete for work…

Pentagon Awards $80 Million for Work on F-35 Engines, Weapons Integration

July 1, 2022
The Pentagon handed out more than $80 million in contracts for work on the F-35’s engines and weapons integration as well as another $25 million to support the development of a joint simulation environment for the F-22. The largest of the deals handed out went to engine-maker Pratt & Whitney.…

DOD Announces $820 Million in Aid to Ukraine, Including Norwegian Air Defense System

July 1, 2022
The Pentagon announced an $820 million aid package to Ukraine that includes the same advanced Norwegian air defense system used to protect the White House. Coupling that with recently arrived multiple-launch rocket systems, the Defense Department said it expects rapid battlefield gains in the Donbas region. “This is something that…

EUCOM Command Changes Hands at a ‘Hinge in History’

July 1, 2022
Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli took the lead of U.S. European Command, succeeding Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters and facing “a hinge in history,” Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dramatically transformed security on the continent. The change of command ceremony at Patch…

Hybrid Approach to Imaging Advances Space-based ISR

July 1, 2022
The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine is highlighting new use-cases for ISR as well as the advantages of integrating a hybrid approach—multiple types of ISR imaging satellites—to capture a fuller picture of developing threats.

NATO Summit Closes With More Warnings on China, Air Defenses to Ukraine

June 30, 2022
President Joe Biden previewed $800 million in new defense assistance to Ukraine, including “a new advanced Western air defense system,” in closing a NATO summit in Madrid that saw formal invitations offered to Finland and Sweden to join the alliance. Also during the historic summit, mention of China was added…

AC-130J Crews Awarded 2021 Mackay Trophy for Safeguarding Afghanistan Evacuation

June 30, 2022
A pair of AC-130J Ghostrider crews have been tapped to receive the 2021 Mackay Trophy, awarded by the Air Force and the National Aeronautic Association for the year’s most meritorious flight. The award is in recognition of their actions during the withdrawal from Afghanistan that aided in the rescue of…

A-10s, AFSOC Aircraft Land on Michigan Highway to Practice ACE

June 30, 2022
A Michigan highway traded pickup trucks and minivans for A-10s and U-28s as members of the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Air Force Special Operations Command trained for agile combat employment. All told, five different kinds of fixed-wing aircraft landed on and took off from a 9,000-foot section…