While advanced fighter jets and bombers often dominate headlines, trained military pilots remain the foundation of every combat-ready air force.
US AIR FORCE
The United States has paused its air campaign against Iran after nearly 2 weeks of consecutive nightly strikes, with a US source describing military operations as being on a hold.
The F-35 Joint Program Office, which runs the fighter effort from just outside Washington, awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.6 billion spare parts contract last week. It is the largest such deal in the history of the F-35 Lightning II program.
A United Airlines (UA) flight bound for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) diverted to Luke Air Force Base (LUF) late Monday night after the crew declared minimum fuel during severe thunderstorms.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) scrambled F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets on July 19, 2026, after more than 10 general aviation aircraft violated Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) airspace over Bedminster and East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The US Air Force is significantly expanding its long-range strike capabilities after the Pentagon announced new framework agreements with three defense companies to accelerate the production of affordable air-launched cruise missiles.
WDMMA ranks the world’s strongest air forces by TruVal Rating, with the US Air Force first and India sixth overall.
Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz and strikes a US air base in Jordan as US forces hit 140 targets. Gulf hubs on alert.
US F-22 Raptors leave the Middle East and land at RAF Fairford as Washington winds down its air war against Iran.
President Donald Trump left Turkey on an older VC-25A Air Force One jet, choosing it over the brand-new VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft that had carried him to Ankara (ESB) for the NATO Summit.