The Air Force has shelled out about $400,000 for claims submitted by New Jersey residents affected by the fire started by a New Jersey Air National Guard F-16 on a May 15 training mission over the Warren Grove Gunnery Range. The Courier-Post reports also that the service still has more than 500 claims still pending. The Air Force acknowledged that a flare dropped by the F-16 was the culprit, but it is still investigating the incident. Members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation met with service officials on May 21 to demand “specific changes” following this latest in a string of incidents.
Air Force Chief of Staff nominee Gen. Henneth Wilsbach said he'll give special attention to coordinating with the Navy on buys of new weapons like the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile.
