AirForces Monthly May 2015

In the May issue of Air Forces Monthly (AFM), we look at how the fight against Islamic State (IS) is progressing within a report on USAF Raptor operations over Syria and an in-depth breakdown of the collation air forces now assembled to fight the brutal extremist group. Meanwhile, Frédéric Lert reports on the French Army Light Aviation’s missions against IS in Mali.

Our Force Report this month looks at the Belgian Air Component. Dirk Jan de Ridder explains how the force still manages to pull its weight when it comes to supporting NATO missions despite significant cuts.

Alan Warnes visits RAF Benson to report on how the UK MOD highlighted the progress it was making to modernise its helicopter fleet.

Jon Lake explains how the RAF Typhoons and F-35 Joint Strike Fighters will work seamlessly together in the combat zone, despite the generation gap...

Slicks and Domes reports on how the US Customs and Border Protection Service are using ex-US Navy P-3 Orion in the fight against drug traffickers, Tom Kaminski investigates the upgrades and tactics.

Continuing with our new series, Briefings, Tim Ripley reveals the RAF’s spearhead drive on Baghdad in March 2003 from secret bases in Jordan.

As always, AFM’s Dave Allport brings you the latest military aviation news from around the world.