Comment - AFM's opinion on the hot topics in military aviation.
Postcard from Prague-Kbely AFM contributor Bernd Kienle provides a photographic report from the 24. zakladna dopravnfho letectva (24. zDL, 24th Transport Aviation Base) in Prague-Kbely, in the northeast of the Czech capital.
Big brothers - Guvercinlik air base near the Turkish capital, Ankara, is home to the heavylifters of the Turkish Land Forces. The Turkish Chinooks are an entirely different class of rotorcraft to the other light and medium transport/utility helicopters in the army aviation's inventory. Onur Kurg and Tayfun Ya§ar joined them on exercise.
AMX in Afghanistan - The Italian Air Force's Task Group Black Cats were among the unsung heroes of the operation over Afghanistan. Gian Carlo Vecchi looks back at the missions flown by the unit's AMX A-11 fighter-bombers and speaks to the task group's commander.
Operation Helvetic air support - Steven Taylor examines the British Army Air Corps' current support role to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the ongoing fight against terrorism. 
Into the fighterbomber business - The Luftwaffe's Eurofighters are no longer flying exclusively air-to-air tasks. As Dr Stefan Petersen discovered, they are now also operating in the air-to-surface role with precision-guided bombs.
Open Day at Tainan - The open day at Tainan Air Base on October 19 was the only event of its kind to take place in Taiwan for 2019, after bad weather forced the cancellation of the open house planned for Hsinchu AB in August. AFM contributor Dietmar Fenners reports from Tainan.
The Arctic transporters - The 139th Airlift Squadron - part of the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing - is probably the only flying unit that operates at opposite ends of the world. The wing supports research activities in both polar regions, two of the most inhospitable areas on the planet. Rogier Westerhuis travelled to Greenland to learn more about this unit's unique challenges and mission.
Swedish tanker times - Some 20,000ft above northern Sweden, Bjorn Ruden joined the Swedish Air Force's dedicated tanker, callsign 'Mighty 842', as Gripen pilots learn the art of aerial refuelling.
'New Cold War' at the top of the world - Across the frozen Arctic north, Russia and the West are squaring up in a new confrontation as they seek to control the region's natural resources and vital sea routes. Tim Ripley looks at how rival air forces are at the centre of events in this strategically important area.
Wings over paradise - In French Polynesia, half a dozen military aircraft share a wide range of missions on a territory the size of Europe. As Frederic Lert explains, there's a permanent battle against the 'tyranny of distance'.

Regular features:
INTEL REPORT: Airbus opens up - After a gap of three years, Airbus held its three-day Trade Media Briefing for military aviation journalists from all over the world. Alan Warnes reports from Bavaria.
Book reviews - AFM evaluates some of the latest offerings in aviation literature.
FORCE REPORT: Belarusian Air Force and Air Defence Part 2 - In the last of a two-part feature on the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defence
Attrition - Dave Allport details the world's most recent military accidents.
Coming up - See what's featuring in your AFM next month.
COMMANDER'S UPDATE BRIEFING: Space - the next frontier - In summer 2019, the Ministry of Defence outlined an ambitious space programme, including committing £30m to fast-track the launch of a small satellite demonstrator within a year. It's just one indication of the growing importance of space to modern air forces, as Air Power Association President, Air Marshal (ret'd) Greg Bagwell CB CBE explains. Patrick Roegies, Stefan Goossens and Erwin van Dijkman examine the air arm's fortunes following the merger of the air force and air defence force and assess the current order of battle.
EXERCISE REPORT: Real Thaw 2019 - Jorge Ruivo reports from the 11th iteration of Real Thaw, which featured 21 aircraft and 600 personnel, including elements from the Portuguese Air Force, as well as the army, navy and foreign nations.
EXERCISE REPORT: Blue Flag 2019 - Riccardo Niccoli reports from Ovda, where the latest Blue Flag exercise involved around 1,000 personnel and 70 aircraft - including, for the first time, F-35s from both Israel and Italy.

NEWS - All the world's military aviation news, by region:
Headlines
United Kingdom
Continental Europe
North America
Russia & CIS Middle East Latin America Africa Asia Pacific Australasia