Author Archives: The Editor

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II – the Fighter that Melted an Aircraft Carrier

In 1963, as Soviet Tu-95 bombers pushed NATO response times to mere minutes, Britain faced a critical defense gap. Budget constraints left the Royal Navy without a modern fighter capable of intercepting threats at supersonic speeds. Facing being outdone by the Soviets, a desperate Britain did the unthinkable: they turned to a foreign warplane for a solution. Continue reading

First Mission-Ready Skyraider II Arrives at Air Force Special Operations Command

The Skyraider II officially joins the Air Force Special Operations Command fleet with the delivery of the first missionized aircraft here at Hurlburt Field, Florida on April 3, 2025. U.S. Special Operations Command representatives and AFSOC leadership joined elected officials and community leaders in a ceremony marking the acceptance. Continue reading