Compass Call Makes Its Combat Debut Over Iran

Compass Call Makes Its Combat Debut Over Iran

Quick Facts Aircraft L3Harris EA-37B Compass Call (electronic attack variant of Gulfstream G550) Replaces EC-130H Compass Call (only 4 remain in service) Deployed From Davis-Monthan AFB via RAF Mildenhall to the Middle East Aircraft Serials 17-5579 and 19-1587 (55th...
Stuck in Sand, Blown to Pieces Inside Iran

Stuck in Sand, Blown to Pieces Inside Iran

Related: Behind Enemy Lines: The Most Daring Rescue Since Bosnia Quick FactsEventUS forces destroy own aircraft during F-15E crew rescue inside IranDateApril 4–5, 2026Aircraft Destroyed2 × MC-130J Commando II, 4 × MH-6/AH-6 Little Bird helicoptersEstimated Loss$200+...
Your Instrument Checkride: What Really Happens

Your Instrument Checkride: What Really Happens

Quick Facts What It IsThe FAA practical test for an Instrument Rating — the licence to fly in clouds, fog, and low visibility PrerequisitesPrivate Pilot Certificate, 50 hours cross-country PIC, 40 hours actual or simulated instrument time, instrument ground school,...
The Go-Around: Aviation’s Most Dangerous Safe Decision

The Go-Around: Aviation’s Most Dangerous Safe Decision

Quick Facts What It IsAborting an approach and climbing away instead of landing When It’s RequiredUnstable approach, runway not in sight at minimums, traffic on runway, wind shear, ATC instruction Accident Factor~83% of approach-and-landing accidents involve a...
B-52s Now Dropping JDAMs Directly Over Iran

B-52s Now Dropping JDAMs Directly Over Iran

Quick Facts AircraftBoeing B-52H Stratofortress Deployment BaseRAF Fairford, England (8 B-52s and 15 B-1s forward-deployed) Primary WeaponGBU-31 JDAM (2,000-lb GPS-guided bomb, ~$80,000 each) Payload CapacityUp to 20 x 2,000-lb JDAMs or 30 x 1,000-lb JDAMs per sortie...