All 17 airmen aboard the C-5 transport aircraft that crashed this morning at 6:30 a.m. near Dover AFB, Del., have survived, Air Force officials confirmed this afternoon. Various news reports said that the airmen, who are from the 436th Airlift Wing and 512th Airlift Wing (AFRC) at Dover, were taken to two area medical facilities, and some of them were walking on their own.. The airlifter reportedly crashed only minutes after taking off from the Air Mobility Command facility after experiencing some kind of mechanical problem. It was attempting to land back at Dover, when it crashed short of the runway, breaking into three pieces.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
