Mortyman From Norway, joined Aug 2006, 3237 posts, RR: 2 Posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 12542 times:
Norway is selling 15 F5 Freedom fighters to the USA. The cost is around 100 Million NOK ( around 18 Million USD )
The Norwegian airforce stopped using the Freedom Fighters for the last time in 1990 and most of them has been in storage since. Only a few has been used for testing missiles ( The NMS - Norsk sjømålmisil ( Norwegian sea misile )and other training.
Over easter they will be taken over by Northern General Leasing LCC and used at a flightschool in texas, providing that the deal is accepted by the Norwegian and US governments.
The planes were built between 1964 and 1969 and a re well used but in good shape.
it is not known wich flightschool that will get the planes, but it is possible that it is the Sheppard-base in Wichita Falls in North-Texas. Norwegian pilots have for several years gotten their flight training at this base among other places.
The planes will be used for training of new pilots.
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11740 posts, RR: 51 Reply 2, posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 12493 times:
At just over $1M per F-5, this seems like a good deal.
Quoting Mortyman (Thread starter): Over easter they will be taken over by Northern General Leasing LCC and used at a flightschool in texas, providing that the deal is accepted by the Norwegian and US governments
Are these F-5Bs two seaters, or possibly F-5F two seaters, since they are going to be used for training.
Since the title says Freedom Fighters, that makes them F-5A/Bs.
Halls120 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 12445 times:
Quoting Mortyman (Thread starter): Norway is selling 15 F5 Freedom fighters to the USA. The cost is around 100 Million NOK ( around 18 Million USD )
Wow. I figured that the Air Force was desperate, what with the F-15 groundings, but who would have realized we'd be seeing F-5's in front line air defense?
Tak From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 161 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 12423 times:
Quoting Halls120 (Reply 4): Wow. I figured that the Air Force was desperate, what with the F-15 groundings, but who would have realized we'd be seeing F-5's in front line air defense?
Nice one!!! Thanks for putting a smile o my face this morning, good one
EBJ1248650 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1932 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 12392 times:
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 2): Are these F-5Bs two seaters, or possibly F-5F two seaters, since they are going to be used for training.
Since the title says Freedom Fighters, that makes them F-5A/Bs.
Probably F-5Bs. My question is whether this is a hint of problems the USAF might be having with its current T-38s.
Mortyman From Norway, joined Aug 2006, 3237 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (5 years 5 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 12245 times:
From Wikipedia:
* ) " The first contract for the production F-5A was issued in 1962, the first overseas order coming from the Royal Norwegian Air Force in February 1964. "
* ) F-5A (G) Single-seat fighter version of the F-5A for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
DEVILFISH From Philippines, joined Jan 2006, 4449 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (5 years 5 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 12219 times:
Quoting Mortyman (Thread starter):
Over easter they will be taken over by Northern General Leasing LCC and used at a flightschool in texas, providing that the deal is accepted by the Norwegian and US governments.
Were the flightschool not mentioned, my nagging thought would be that these planes might be offered by another company to Manila at an outrageously high price, like the Vietnam era Cobras when the news first came out in Defense-Aerospace.
Quoting Mortyman (Thread starter): The planes were built between 1964 and 1969 and a re well used but in good shape.
[.....]
What do you guys think of the price... ?
Well, if they were sheltered and well taken care of as shown in these photos, then they're definitely worth a second look.....
Quoting Halls120 (Reply 4): Wow. I figured that the Air Force was desperate, what with the F-15 groundings, but who would have realized we'd be seeing F-5's in front line air defense?
Now, isn't that very unsporting of the USAF to be competing for the acquisition of these old fighters against the likes of the PhAF?
Quoting TheSonntag (Reply 7):
Just put some AIM-9xs and AMRAAMS on it, and you'll do fine.
The F-5's computer and radar can't handle those, which will require very extensive and expensive air combat systems rework. IIRC, even the F-20 Tigershark had to be specially fitted to fire the Sidewinder.
EBJ1248650 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1932 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (5 years 5 months 5 days ago) and read 12004 times:
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 2): Quoting Mortyman (Thread starter):
Over easter they will be taken over by Northern General Leasing LCC and used at a flightschool in texas, providing that the deal is accepted by the Norwegian and US governments
Who's being trained with these planes? What kind of training will it be?
Cannibalz3 From United States of America, joined May 2001, 392 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (5 years 5 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 11840 times:
Aggressors maybe? They were sold to a leasing company, which sounds to me like a private Red Team or something, like those guys with Dassault Mysteres that simulate cruise missiles for the Navy - assuming they're actually being used for the government. It could be a private fighter-jet flight school or something like that.
Venus6971 From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 1410 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (5 years 5 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 11811 times:
Quoting Cannibalz3 (Reply 13): Aggressors maybe? They were sold to a leasing company, which sounds to me like a private Red Team or something, like those guys with Dassault Mysteres that simulate cruise missiles for the Navy - assuming they're actually being used for the government. It could be a private fighter-jet flight school or something like that.
Talked to a Nowegian IP from Sheppard yesterday and asked him about the sale, he told me they are going to Alliance to train pilots from a middle eastern country. Never heard about North Genral leasing.
DEVILFISH From Philippines, joined Jan 2006, 4449 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (5 years 5 months 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 11788 times:
Quoting Venus6971 (Reply 14):
Talked to a Nowegian IP from Sheppard yesterday and asked him about the sale, he told me they are going to Alliance to train pilots from a middle eastern country.
Wright-Patt plays a part in training future Iraqi pilots
by Staff Sgt. Jared Marquis
506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
Quote: "10/31/2007 - KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq -- The first two aircraft to be used to train the pilots of the future Iraqi air force arrived here Oct. 19 via a C-17 Globemaster III.
The aircraft are the first of 12 Cessna 172 aircraft scheduled to be delivered to Kirkuk where they will serve as basic training aircraft for the Iraqi Air Force Flying Training School. Acquisition of these aircraft and associated contractor logistics support is the responsibility of the 337th Aeronautical Systems Group Foreign Military Sales team.
The 337 AESG FMS team, part of the 77th Aeronautical Systems Wing, worked closely with the Coalition Air Force Transition Team to quickly respond to the Iraqi Air Force's urgent need for training aircraft. To support the Flying Training School's scheduled opening date, the team negotiated delivery of the first 172 aircraft within three months of the contract award date with Cessna Aircraft Company."
Perhaps they would move to Sheppard and transition to Contractor flight school for jet training?
Now that the stories came out, it's a toss-up between these two. Afghanistan seems to have an edge, although the Iraqis were hoping to add jet fighters.....
General Shares Successes, Challenges of Afghan Air Corps
(Source: US Air Force; issued Jan. 24, 2008)
Quote: "WASHINGTON --- The Afghan army air corps is going through rapid growth, but it will take eight years for the force to be self-sustaining and independent, the commander of the Combined Air Power Transition Force said from his headquarters in the Afghan capital of Kabul Jan. 24.
Brig. Gen. Jay H. Lindell told Pentagon reporters via video-teleconference that the air corps has doubled its capability since October and that he expects it to double again in the next six months. His 133 U.S. service-members are helping the Afghan National Army establish the air corps. Ultimately, the force will have 112 aircraft and 7,400 members. It now has 1,950 members, about 180 of them pilots.
The command has an eight-year campaign plan to acquire aircraft and train the force, but it is flying now. 'We're well on our way,' General Lindell said. The air corps now has four Antonov fixed-wing transport planes and 16 Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters. The general said the force will receive 16 more Mi-17, six more Mi-35 helicopters, and four more Antonovs in the next six months. The air corps also will buy 20 C-27A Spartan aircraft, with the first set to arrive in June 2009.
[.....]
Though the force is flying and growing, the air corps suffers from a lack of trained personnel and an aging pilot force. The average age of air corps pilots is 43, and some have not flown for 15 years, he said. The Afghan military has not trained a new pilot since 1992. 'The Afghan pilots that are currently flying are very good stick-and-rudder pilots,' General Lindell said. 'They're very competent; they're professional. They can fly the missions that they're assigned to today. It's just that they do not have the resources.'
The Afghan pilots are 'day pilots,' General Lindell said. They do not fly at night or in limited visibility. 'As this force ages, it won't sustain this air corps for the long term, and we are developing plans to train new pilots and bring youth into the program,' he said. The command hopes to begin training 48 pilots a year beginning this year. That will take some years to develop, and at first, the Afghan pilots will train outside the country, probably in the U.S."
Iraqi Air Force Builds on 2007 Growth in Size, Capability
(Source: US Department of Defense; issued Jan. 24, 2008)
Quote: "WASHINGTON --- 'Tremendous' growth in the Iraqi air force last year in terms of capability as well as capacity is expected to continue in 2008 as Iraq builds its air force from the ground up, a senior U.S. officer assisting that effort reported today.
During 2007, the Iraqis stood up four air force training schools and graduated their first military pilots' class since 2003, Air Force Col. Lyman 'Lewie' Edwards, who also serves as chief of staff and deputy commander for the Coalition Air Force Transition Team, told retired military analysts via teleconference from Baghdad.
[.....]
The Iraqis plan to buy more aircraft, including three additional C-130s. They also hope to add fighter jets to the fleet, although Edwards said the framework for supporting those aircraft -- from training to maintenance -- has to be worked out first.
[.....]
All signs point to continued growth and a bigger role in the counterinsurgency fight, Edwards said. 'The plan is to continue in 2008, moving closer to fully equipping the Iraqi air force to fight and win (against) the counterinsurgency threat while training more airmen to accomplish that mission,' he said.
In addition to sending former Iraqi pilots through refresher training, the Iraqi air force is actively recruiting new members. Earlier this month, 116 new officers completed basic training at the training facility in Taji. The graduation marked the first time Iraqi air force officers taught the two-month course that provides basic military training and education to new recruits."
VSE-Westar Team to Train New Iraqi Air Force Pilots
(Source: VSE Corp.; issued Jan. 31, 2008)
Quote: "WASHINGTON, DC. --- The team of VSE Corporation of Arlington, Va., and Westar Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ North America, has been awarded a three-year, $62 million CECOM Rapid Response Task Order from the U.S. Army Security Assistance Management Organization. The Task Order is in direct support of the Coalition Air Force Transition Team's mission to establish a Flight Training School in support the new Iraqi Air Force."
Sponsor Message: 
From Norway, joined Aug 2006, 3237 posts, 
From Canada, joined Feb 2006, 3892 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11740 posts, 
From Germany, joined Jun 2005, 3350 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2004, 6392 posts, 
From Philippines, joined Jan 2006, 4449 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
