US Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk flew over Ukraine ADS-B transponder turned on

In an article posted on The Aviationist website by David Cenciotti, he is reporting that the U.S. Air Force’s gigantic Global Hawk drones have been flying over Ukraine for about two years. However, they recently let everyone  know they were there.

Aircraft serial number #04-2021 turned on its ADS-B transponder on October 15 using hex address AE27A7 while flying over Ukraine at 50175 feet squawking 5527.

U.S. RQ-4Bs belonging to the 9th Operations Group/Detachment 4th of the U.S. Air Force deployed to Sigonella from Beale Air Force Base, California, have been flying ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance) missions in support of EUCOM, AFRICOM and CENTCOM theater mission tasking since 2011.

You can read David's entire article at https://theaviationist.com/2016/10/18/u-s-air-force-rq-4-global-hawk-drone-flew-over-ukraine-with-transponder-turned-on-for-everyone-to-see/

Monterey Conducts Exercise with US Air Force

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Billy Ho, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

USS MONTEREY, At Sea (NNS) -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) conducted an air operations for maritime surface warfare exercise in the Arabian Gulf, July 17.

The exercise was a joint operation between Monterey and aircraft from U.S. Air Force, Central Command.

"This was an excellent opportunity for Monterey to improve interoperability with U.S. Air Force assets deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility," said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Watts, the ship's operations officer. "It also allowed Monterey to practice joint tactics, techniques, and procedures in the dynamic maritime environment."

Monterey launched two rigid-hull inflatable boats to simulate small boat threats that were detected by an Air Force E-8 Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft. Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft were then directed to investigate, identify, target, and destroy the targets. Monterey and the JSTARS aircraft took turns controlling and directing the Strike Eagles while practicing joint procedures to defend Monterey from small craft attack.

"It was a very successful exercise," said Watts. "Both Monterey and U.S. Air Force participants met or exceeded all training objectives. This exercise improves our ability to operate more effectively and efficiently with joint partners in the region."

The two-hour exercise concluded with a fly-by of Monterey after the F-15E Strike Eagles had eliminated all simulated targets during multiple inbound runs.

 Monterey is currently deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group Deploys

Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) guide an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 to catapult four in preparation for launch. Ronald Reagan is underway preparing for a deployment to the western Pacific and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin B. Gray/Released)

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, completed their pre-deployment training March 5, and departed the Southern California area of operations for its regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Central Command areas of responsibility.

"We have successfully completed all of our final qualifications," said Capt. Thom Burke, USS Ronald Reagan commanding officer. "The ship and air wing have been training hard and are ready for any tasking that we might receive in the upcoming months."

Embarked aboard Ronald Reagan with CVW 14 are the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, the "Argonauts" of VFA-147, the "Blue Diamonds" of VFA-146, the "Death Rattlers" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.

Ronald Reagan CSG helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and provides humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

Kirkuk airspace returned to Iraqi control

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- United States Central Command Air Forces officials transferred control of Kirkuk air traffic control assigned airspace to the Baghdad Air Control Center on Nov. 15.

Under the U.S. CENTAF Airspace Transition Concept, airspace above 29,000 feet was transferred back to Iraq sovereign control. The Baghdad ACC was the first in a series of stages to stand up Aug. 30. Following the completion of the Kirkuk transfer, Ali (southern) airspace control will transfer in the January 2008 timeframe.

When the transition process is complete, the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority will be responsible for control of all airspace over Iraq at 29,000 feet and above.

The Combined Forces Air Component Commander retains the authority to take back sections of airspace in order to accomplish any military missions.

DOD to establish U.S. Africa Command

by Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

2/6/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- The U.S. military will establish a separate U.S. Africa Command to oversee military operations on the African continent, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced during congressional testimony Feb. 6.

"The president has decided to stand-up a new unified, combatant command, Africa Command, to oversee security cooperation, building partnership capability, defense support to non-military missions, and, if directed, military operations on the African continent," Secretary Gates said in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The command will enable the U.S. military to have a more effective and integrated approach than the current command setup, Secretary Gates said.

Responsibility for operations on the African continent is currently divided among three combatant commands: U.S. European Command, which has responsibility for most of the nations in the African mainland except in the Horn of Africa; U.S. Central Command, which has responsibility for Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya; and U.S. Pacific Command, which has responsibility for Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Indian Ocean area off the African coast.

The secretary called this arrangement an "outdated arrangement left over from the Cold War."

He added Department of Defense officials will consult closely with Congress and European and African allies to implement the effort.