A Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter aircraft lost parts of its tail during a Jan. 8 training flight over eastern Japan. Bloomberg reports that aluminum components measuring 2 meters by 40 centimeters dropped from the airplane during a one-hour training mission near Hyakuri Air Base, but caused no injury or damage on the ground. In fact, the parts were not noticed as missing until the aircraft landed, the news report states, citing a JASDF spokesman. This spokesman said the loss of the parts wouldn’t lead to a crash. The cause of the mishap is under investigation. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries builds Japan’s F-15s under license with Boeing.
The head of the Air Force’s bomber fleet has been tapped for a promotion to join the Air Staff and lead the service’s strategic deterrence efforts, the Pentagon announced Jan. 27. If confirmed by the Senate, Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara will pin on a third star and serve as deputy chief…