More than 250 airmen and 14 F-16s from Aviano AB, Italy, trained with Spanish airmen and fighters at Zaragoza AB, Spain. This training is an annual event to help improve interoperability with these NATO partners, according to Aviano’s April 1 release. Members of Aviano’s 510th Fighter Squadron took part in air-to-air training drills with Spanish F-18s and EF-2000 Eurofighters and also conducted air-to-ground training, including close air support and large-force employment, states the release. “The training allows the pilots to employ full-scale heavyweight training munitions, as well as fly against different airframes, which helps expand the corporate combat knowledge of the squadron,” said Capt. Seth Taylor, 510th FS project officer. The Aviano contingent returned home on March 27. (Aviano report by SrA. Michael Battles)
The Pentagon awarded a contract worth over $2 billion for the next batch of F-35 engines to Pratt & Whitney on June 5. The deal for Lot 17 F135 engines, totaling $2.02 billion, is expected to be completed by December 2025.