The engine icing that caused a CV-22 Osprey bound for Edwards AFB, Calif., from Amarillo, Tex., on Oct. 18 to land in Arizona was no big deal, per V-22 program officials. They told the Amarillo Globe-News this week that the incident is still under investigation, but that it will not affect production Ospreys, which, unlike the text aircraft, have de-icing equipment. The Navy has had V-22s in Halifax, Nova Scotia, undergoing icing testing and started the third phase of icing testing Monday in Halifax.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.