The Pentagon has identified the remains of Capt. Stephen A. Rusch of Lambertville, N.J., who was listed as missing in action from the Vietnam War. During a March 7, 1972 mission, Rusch was a weapons systems officer on an F-4E attacking enemy targets in Laos. The flight-lead F-4 lost sight of Rusch’s aircraft on its second pass but noted ground fire and a large explosion. Attempts to make radio contact failed, as did later search efforts. Interviews in 1995 led to a crash site and discovery of aircraft wreckage. US officials received a bone fragment and photocopy of Rusch’s ID tag in 2001, but tests showed the bone was not from Rusch. Subsequent excavations at the crash site in 2002 and 2003 uncovered remains that did prove to be his.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
