According to a Nov. 9 Pentagon press release, DOD has identified the remains of Col. Charles J. Scharf, of San Diego, who piloted a F-4C that was hit by enemy fire and went down in flames on Oct. 1, 1965, on a mission over North Vietnam. Other aircraft on the mission saw one parachute as the F-4 went down but after circling the area made no radio or visual contact. Several excavations began in 1992 and ended in 2004, producing remains, such as personal effects and a plastic denture tooth. A DNA test using a relative was inconclusive, but DOD researchers were able to extract DNA from gummed adhesive on letters Scharf sent to his wife.
The Air Force’s B-52 bomber may soon be able to carry up to 20 stealthy long-range anti-ship missiles to strike moving targets at sea, a key capability in a potential fight with China.
