The six B-52 bombers deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, from Barksdale AFB, La., flew out of harm’s way as Typhoon Kong-Rey and following winds ravaged the Western Pacific, landing for a respite at Fairchild AFB, Wash. Fairchild, which now operates KC-135 tankers as its primary mission, was home to a contingent of the big bombers for about 40 years. Initial storm tracks showed the typhoon passing over Andersen, so Air Force officials decided the 11-hour flight from Guam to Fairchild was worth the peace of mind. The Barksdale BUFFs on this most recent strategic presence rotation to Andersen have flown long missions to Hawaii and Australia.
The crash of a T-38 trainer jet this May—which caused a weekslong pause in flights across the fleet—was caused by an improperly installed pin for one of the jet’s horizontal stabilizers, according to a new accident report released Oct. 30. When the pin disengaged midflight, it created the slightest amount…