An accident investigation board has determined that spatial disorientation led to the death of Maj. Gregory Young in the F-15A crash off the coast of Arch Cape, Ore., on June 27. According to an Air Combat Command statement, Young, an Air National Guard pilot with the 142nd Fighter Wing at Portland Airport in Oregon, was flying a dissimilar air combat training mission with F/A-18s from NAS Fort Worth, Tex., when he became disoriented and misinterpreted his position in flight.
The Air Force expects to start modifying its first B-52H Stratofortress bomber with new engines and other upgrades later this year, following the successful review of the Commercial Engine Replacement Program’s design.