The Mississippi Air National Guard’s 172nd Airlift Wing has named one of its C-17s “The Spirit of the Purple Heart,” recognizing the US military’s oldest decoration. The airlifter, which, in 2006, flew the one-millionth hour mission for the C-17 fleet, now has a Purple Heart medal painted on its nose. (Report by TSgt. Mike Smith.)
One of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones crashed shortly after takeoff April 6, and the company has paused its test flights while it investigates the incident.