Air Education and Training Command leader Gen. William Looney has ordered a standdown for all T-38C Talon training, following the second fatal accident in two weeks involving the primary trainer for initial fighter-bomber pilot training. In a May 1 statement, Looney said that the service had “no evidence” that the incidents at Columbus AFB, Miss., and Sheppard AFB, Tex., are related and added, “until we have a more complete understanding of the causes of both accidents, it’s prudent to stand down the T-38s.” Both accidents are still under investigation.
The Air Force has spent more than two years studying cancer risks to Airmen who work with the service's intercontinental ballistic missiles. Now lawmakers in Congress are placing fresh scrutiny on the issue and have prepared legislation that would direct the service to clean silos and launch facilities.