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US Air Force

US Air Force
US Air Force: A branch of the United States Armed Forces, headquartered at The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. Its primary mission is to "fly, fight, and win... airpower anytime, anywhere," ensuring global vigilance, reach, and power. Key activities include air superiority, global strike, and rapid global mobility. As the world’s largest air force, this governmental body is central to national security and is significantly investing in the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme to develop sixth-generation fighter aircraft and advanced combat systems.
US President Donald Trump exits the newly designated Air Force One presidential aircraft at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Friday. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Trump unveils new Air Force One, as he plans trips to China and Turkey

The US president’s use of an aircraft – worth hundreds of millions of dollars – from Qatar has raised ethical and security concerns.

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Donald Trump

Is it goodbye Air Force One, hello Qatar Force One?

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Aviation accidents

8 dead after B-52 bomber crashes at US military base in California

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US-China relations

Can America sustain a war with China? New reports raise questions

US watchdog cites ageing aircraft, spare-part shortages, maintenance challenges, expertise gaps and delays fielding advanced tankers.

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The US Government Accountability Office found the air force’s aerial refuelling fleet consistently fell short of availability and mission-capability goals between 2019 and 2025. Photo: US Air Force via Reuters
Donald Trump

US considers ‘buying’ Chagos Islands from Mauritius

Reported proposal outlines direct deal with Mauritius after the US criticised the UK’s plan to cede sovereignty.

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China's military weapons

China’s PL-15 missile has downed Rafale jets. Is the PL-16 even more powerful?

An unverified briefing slide has emerged with details of the new weapon, weeks after an image appeared of America’s AIM-260.

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Aviation accidents

‘Miraculous’ rescue off US coast as 11 survive crash and 5-hour sea ordeal

Rescuers hoist final survivor into helicopter with just minutes of fuel remaining as a thunderstorm approached.

The survivors being hoisted to safety. Photo: US Air Force via AP)
2026 Xi-Trump summits

‘A flying White House’: Trump’s Air Force One fuels fascination in China

Hundreds of Beijing residents join professional photographers at vantage points near airport to capture arrival of the presidential plane.

United States

US aims to deploy Qatar-gifted luxury jet as Air Force One for Fourth of July

There are efforts to possibly deliver the Boeing 747 even earlier, to align with Trump’s birthday on June 14.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Are US Air Force C-17s flying cars into Beijing for Trump’s China trip?

American military cargo planes have been spotted at the Chinese capital’s main airport, suggesting that the high-stakes visit is still on.

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Two US Air Force C-17 transport aircraft have been seen at Beijing Capital International Airport in the past few days. Photo: Handout
Extreme weather

Searchers find body of 1 of 6 missing crew members after typhoon overturns ship

The crew of the Mariana notified the US Coast Guard on April 15 that the vessel lost its starboard engine during Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

A satellite image shows Carolinas Heights after Typhoon Sinlaku, in Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands on April 17, 2026. Photo: via Reuters
Crime

Bomb allegedly left at US base by Alen Zheng was built inside 2 Pepsi bottles

The revelation of the bomb’s make-up comes amid questions of how it sat outside the military installation for six days without being found.

US-China relations

Siblings who fled to China charged over bomb planted outside US Air Force base

Alen Zheng remains at large, while Ann Mary Zheng was arrested after she returned to the US; their mother has been detained for deportation.

China's military weapons

PLA reveals AI-assisted aerial refuelling system days after US tanker crash

PLA Air Force details streamlined operations that pair tankers and fighters, with real-time recommendations for pilots.

Chinese fighter jets soar over Tiananmen Square in Beijing on September 3, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Photo: Eugene Lee
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump and Starmer hold call on Middle East after rebuke over Iran

Phone call came after Trump mounted his latest criticism of the British leader over a perceived lack of support for the US campaign against Iran.

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US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September 2025. Photo: No 10 Downing Street via dpa
US, Israel war on Iran

4 US bombers land in UK as Iran war continues

British PM Keir Starmer has granted permission for ‘defensive’ US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf states take the fight to Iran as missiles target oil, gas and trade

The UAE, Qatar and others had a plan for staying out of a US-Iran war. It relied on the assumption that Iran would leave them out of it too.

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US-China relations

Ex-US Air Force fighter pilot accused of secretly training Chinese military

Gerald Eddie Brown Jr allegedly provided ‘defence services’ after 24-year Air Force career training US pilots on advanced combat aircraft.

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A US Air Force F-35C Lightning II lands on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on February 12. Photo: AFP
United States

‘Baby blue’ out, gold in: how Air Force One will look after Trump’s order

Air Force One’s next look marks a big departure from the current white and two-tone blue livery.

Donald Trump

As US carrier fleet sails near Iran, Trump faces ‘no easy levers’ against Tehran

Analysts evaluate the difficult options of a US air strike, killing of Iran’s top leaders, covert operations and counter-intelligence.

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Iran

Iran unveils bloody anti-US billboard as carrier force nears

Graphic mural in Tehran shows a destroyed aircraft carrier in a warning to the Trump administration against military intervention.

The billboard depicts a damaged US aircraft carrier with disabled fighter jets on its deck. Photo: AP
United States

US’ FAA warns airlines to ‘potential risks’ in Mexican, South American airspace

The warnings come a month after a JetBlue passenger jet almost collided with a US Air Force tanker plane near Venezuela ‌.

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A US Air Force F22-Raptor takes off from the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico on January 4. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

Dick Van Dyke turns 100: 5 things to know about the Mary Poppins star

We look back on what the actor – best known as chimney sweep Bert in Mary Poppins – has said about Walt Disney, James Bond and the key to ageing gracefully.

United States

National Guard shooting suspect faces murder charge after 1 soldier dies

Sarah Beckstrom, who was shot in the alleged attack by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was described by Trump as ‘outstanding in every single way’.

China's military weapons

China’s JL-1 missile beats US rivals, but will launch platform hold it back?

The air-launched missile completes China’s nuclear triad and could pose a threat to Alaska, but it has limitations, defence magazine says.

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China’s JL-1 missile makes its debut at the Victory Day military parade in Beijing on September 3. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Against All Odds: Hong Kong-set WWII thriller punches above its weight

A downed US pilot’s rescue entwines with a plot to assassinate a Japanese official in a gripping, intimate WWII thriller set in Hong Kong.

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Louise Wong in a still from Against All Odds.
China's military weapons

PLA shows first footage of Chinese drone collaborating with crewed J-20 fighter

Military promotional video is the first time China has publicly shown its manned-unmanned teaming technology.

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Vietnam

Avoiding ‘strategic suicide’: Vietnam’s US-Russia-China diplomatic dance

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s visit pushed military cooperation, but Vietnam wants to ensure it keeps all its geopolitical options open.

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