Asked for a comment from Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on the new investigation into the Air Force’s Thunderbirds Airshow Production Services affair by the DOD Inspector General’s office, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said May 7 that the confidence Gates has in the Air Force leadership “remains unchanged.” Morrell then added, “However, he is waiting to hear the results of a couple of outstanding investigations involving them.” Morrell did not elaborate on the other investigations.
The Air Force has begun flying its CV-22 Ospreys again. But that is just the start of a multi-step process to return the fleet to normal operations following a deadly crash last year, the service says.