A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) General Dynamics F-111G crashed into the South China Sea off the Malay peninsula on 19 April, killing both crew. The aircraft, of 6 Sqn, one of 15 acquired from the US Air Force in 1993, is reported to have hit a peak on the island of Pulau Aur. It had been rehearsing a maritime strike mission as part of ongoing Five Power Defence Arrangement training exercises.
Source: Flight International
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.
Athens signed a long-sought letter of offer and acceptance with airframer Lockheed Martin covering 20 F-35 stealth fighters, with options for a further 20 jets.
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
