The Hawaii Air National Guard’s 199th Fighter Squadron began flying training missions again after the crash of one of its F-15Ds on Feb. 1, reports the Honolulu Advertiser. The Air Guard unit, which is slated to trade its Eagles for the new F-22 Raptor, still has seven of its F-15s on the ground pending further evaluation of the structural problem that led to the Nov. 2 crash of a Missouri ANG F-15C. (See above) The investigation into the Hawaii Air Guard crash is ongoing, but officials said the aircraft did not break apart so they feel confident it did not suffer a structural failure.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.