bobdina
10-15-2009, 09:15 PM
1st AF plane flies over Russia under new pact
Staff report
Posted : Thursday Oct 15, 2009 16:29:30 EDT
Through the Cold War, Air Force crews trained to penetrate Russian air space and face an onslaught of interceptor jets and ant-aircraft missiles.
Now, Air Force crews just need the proper documents to fly over Russia.
On Oct. 8, an Air Force C-17 Globemaster crewed by airmen from the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., became the first Air Force plane to fly over Russia while ferrying supplies for troops in Afghanistan, an Air Force release said.
Prior to that mission, aircrews had to avoid Russian air space, flying zigzagging routes over Europe and Asia.
In July, Russian officials agreed to let Air Force planes carrying troops and military supplies fly over Russia on their way to Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan and to Afghanistan. The agreement permits 4,500 flights annually.
The Air Force predicts the shorter route will save $133 million each year in fuel, maintenance and other costs.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/10/airforce_russia_overflights_101509w/
Staff report
Posted : Thursday Oct 15, 2009 16:29:30 EDT
Through the Cold War, Air Force crews trained to penetrate Russian air space and face an onslaught of interceptor jets and ant-aircraft missiles.
Now, Air Force crews just need the proper documents to fly over Russia.
On Oct. 8, an Air Force C-17 Globemaster crewed by airmen from the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., became the first Air Force plane to fly over Russia while ferrying supplies for troops in Afghanistan, an Air Force release said.
Prior to that mission, aircrews had to avoid Russian air space, flying zigzagging routes over Europe and Asia.
In July, Russian officials agreed to let Air Force planes carrying troops and military supplies fly over Russia on their way to Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan and to Afghanistan. The agreement permits 4,500 flights annually.
The Air Force predicts the shorter route will save $133 million each year in fuel, maintenance and other costs.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/10/airforce_russia_overflights_101509w/