The A-10 Thunderbolt II, QF-4 Phantom, F-16 Falcon, and F-22 Raptor will fly the airshow circuit in close formation with World War II aircraft again this summer. The Air Combat Command Heritage Flight will perform with warbirds, including the A-36 Apache, F-86 Sabre, P-40 Warhawk, and P-47 Thunderbolt, said ACC officials. The 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., plans to host two days of training early next month to certify that both civilian and ACC pilots are prepared to safely perform at shows across the United States and Canada. Formed in 1997, the heritage flight aims to fly at 40 to 60 formation performances with World War II-, Korean War-, and Vietnam War-era aircraft, preserving the service’s link with its history. In 2010, the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation was formed as a benevolent funding stream to perpetuate the flight’s mission. (Davis-Monthan release) (Heritage Flight webpage)
The Space Force is preparing for significant growth to its procurement budget in fiscal 2027, and the head of the service’s largest acquisition organization said April 14 he is asking companies to invest now in facilities and production capacity so they’re ready to execute when called upon.