USAF F-16s on Monday joined F-16s from Jordan, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates at Azraq Royal Jordanian Air Base for this year’s Falcon Air Meet, a two-week competition. “The Jordanians are impeccable hosts,” said Maj. Gerrod McLellan, Air Forces Central’s exercise lead officer. He added, “They are more than willing to engage with us on all levels” not only in combat exercises, but also in maintenance, emergency response, force protection, fuel and armaments. The flight syllabus and competition this year include both the well-established air-to-air engagement training and close air support, including US Navy F/A-18s, and a single B-52. Falcon Air Meet was originally a bilateral US-Jordanian training event, but has grown into a multinational, broad-ranging activity. Last year, the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing was the overall winner. (Azraq report by TSgt. Chyenne Adams)
Gene Smith, Former POW and AFA Chair, Dies at 91
Jan. 19, 2026
Lt. Col. Richard “Gene” Smith, who overcame five and a half years as a prisoner of war in the notorious Hanoi Hilton from 1967 until 1973, died Jan. 16. He was one day short of his 91st birthday.
