As the F-16 is still the most prevalent fighter in the USAF arsenal and with Op Epic Fury going on I wanted to post a quick history of the wild weasels and the importance it has as the F-35 takes over now too. Weasels were a key part in the operation and knowing how you may play a role in that in the future…

Read more

warhistoryonline.com

The Wild Weasels Fly Some of the US Air Force's Most Dangerous Missions

These pilots carry on the dangerous tradition and motto established in Vietnam.

Good morning BogiDope Community! We had about 50 folks on the Webinar last night with Husky Martin. In case you missed it, the Recording is attached here (and is posted to the Video Library). This Webinar is part of our 2026 Annual Training Plan and we look forward to hosting you all for the next one in April. Have a great week!

Read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfkmnxpjPK4

Tragic to hear about this situation and the KC-135 crew. Even in non-hostile zones the job is still incredibly dangerous and you must be on your A game. The military still has many of its losses from non-combat related operations unfortunately. RIP fellow brothers

http://www.twz.com/air/kc-135-tanker-crashes-in-iraq-during-operation-epic-fury-sortie

twz.com

KC-135 Tanker Crashes In Iraq During Operation Epic Fury Sortie (Updated)

U.S. Central Command says two aircraft were involved in the incident and that a search and rescue effort is currently underway.

The fog of war: just speculating here, but with so many attack drones flying around – combined with high stress environments – an untrained radar operator could mistake a fighter jet (or in this case, three jets) flying a similar profile (similar speed, altitude, perhaps even descending towards the base…for landing, as opposed to a… Read more

militarytimes.com

3 F-15s shot down by Kuwait in friendly fire incident, pilots safe, US says

"Kuwait has acknowledged this incident," according to U.S. Central Command. All six crew members have been recovered and are in stable condition.

Operations in the Middle East have ventured into the maritime domain. Hopefully, just one of many more successful updates that lead to a swift checkmate.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/01/9-iranian-naval-ships-have-been-destroyed-and-sunk-trump-says/

airforcetimes.com

9 Iranian naval ships have been destroyed and sunk, Trump says

President Trump also said Iran's naval headquarters has been "largely destroyed" in a different attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUSzlZpBB-w

No words besides the ultimate betrayal to your military brethren and your country.

http://www.twz.com/air/former-air-force-fighter-pilot-and-f-35-instructor-charged-with-training-chinese-military

twz.com

Former Air Force Fighter Pilot And F-35 Instructor Charged With Training Chinese Military 

The ex-U.S. Air Force combat pilot also worked as a contractor F-35 instructor before allegedly providing expertise to China. The ex-U.S. Air Force combat pilot also worked as a contractor F-35 instructor before allegedly providing expertise to China.

Happy gold medal game Sunday BD! If you’re not watching the men’s hockey gold medal game against Canada you’re wrong! 🇺🇸

Ill be online during the day so reach out with any questions you have that are unanswered via DM or my email at cage@bogidope.com

Cheers, STK!

BD Fam,

Here’s the latest and greatest on the situation in the CENTCOM Theatre.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/02/19/us-military-assets-flock-to-middle-east-amid-iran-standoff/

It certainly looks like US forces are readying for some fireworks.

The Active Duty, Reserve, and ANG certainly all have assets in play.

Stay tuned!

-CHAOS

airforcetimes.com

US military assets flock to Middle East amid Iran standoff

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is set to soon become the keystone of the Pentagon’s naval armada in the region.

Congratulations to Nick Longhini on being the newest Bodidope Fighter Hire. Nick is headed off to fly Vipers off the Florida beaches with the 93d FS at Homestead FL.

Nick actually picked up a fall out slot – he was the alternate and stayed connected with the unit. A UPT opportunity opened up and the squadron has his phone number ready.

Way…

Read more

As the great philosopher DJ Khaled would say…

Another big win for BogiDope, as a recent interview prep client got the golden ticket down south with the Swamp Foxes!

Congrats! Looks like a good start for the BogiDope Community in 2026.

So this article should really say “USAF fighter force finally gets bigger.” Looks like we are at the bottom and climbing out. A moment we’ve been waiting for.

Husky’s spicy take: We’ll buy more iron each of those years. No way we buy that few F-35 (LM will throw a fit it production goes from 100->50)

Husky super spicy take: It will be great…

Read more

So, we’ve settled on a name for the new IPT+T6 construct… maybe. Future UPT (I’m not sure what happens when the future is now, but I digress). See the article below.

AETC has been converging on this product (albeit slowly) for some time, so I think it probably represents the next decade. For the fighter folks, expect FUPT + the FBF (T-38s +…

Read more

aetc.af.mil

FUPT Graduation: Air Force Ushers in New Era of Pilot Training

History took flight here as Air Education and Training Command celebrated the first graduating class of pilots trained as part of the groundbreaking Future of Undergraduate Pilot Training (FUPT)

Once you get into the cockpit you train everyday like you’re going to fight, but new threats always arise and make training on the fly a reality. 6-9 months ago I would have laughed if you said F-35s would be “deploying” to Puerto Rico. this just shows how ever changing and high pace this career is and how you must always have your game face…

Read more

military.com

U.S. Deploys F-35 Fighters to Cold War-Era Puerto Rico Base as Venezuela Tensions Escalate

The U.S. military has reactivated a Cold War-era naval base in Puerto Rico and deployed thousands of troops to the Caribbean as tensions with Venezuela escalate, marking the largest American military buildup in the region in decades.

“Drop Night”! The most coveted night of pilot training! It’s a night, that if your friends and family get to attend, they’ll never forget! If you’re unfamiliar with what it is, it’s the event when active duty pilots get their assignments on what they will fly. Yes being in the guard and reserve you already know, BUT you still have to be good…

Read more

Even when you’re not in a combat zone things can happen that test your skill and adaptation under pressure. As your train daily for combat purposes it’s still important to do emergency procedures. This article talks about the F35 crash in Alaska and how everyone worked their hardest, even Lockheed engineers.

…

Read more

military.com

F-35 Pilot Was on Phone for Nearly an Hour with Engineers Before Ejection and Fiery Crash

The 39-page crash report, released this week, detailed the circumstances of the fiery crash, which completely destroyed the F-35, valued at $196.5 million.

BD Fam,

As some of you may know, one of your missions in a flying squadron may involve sitting alert.

While most of those days are pretty laid back and mundane… You may have that day that’s far from that.

When the klaxon goes off you have mere minutes before you need to be airborne.

Check out this article from AF Times as things got a bit lively…

Read more

airforcetimes.com

F-16s intercept Russian spy planes near Alaska two days in a row

The Russian surveillance and reconnaissance planes stayed in international airspace, but flew close enough to prompt NORAD to launch F-16s to intercept.