An instructor pilot and student pilot had to make a belly landing with their T-6A Texan II trainer at Columbus AFB, Miss., on June 25, after the aircraft’s landing gear malfunctioned during a training sortie, reported The Dispatch, a local newspaper. Neither pilot was injured in the mishap, according to the report. The incident occurred as student pilots practiced aerial maneuvers, takeoffs, and landings, stated the newspaper. The damaged aircraft is currently sitting in a base hangar. A safety investigation board will review the incident, which is reportedly the first mishap of this type at Columbus in some five years.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.