Air Force officials relieved the commander of the 8th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., following last week’s crash of one of the unit’s CV-22 Ospreys, reported AOL Defense June 21. “Loss of confidence” in the squadron commander’s “ability to effectively command the unit” drove the decision, said 1st Special Operations Wing Commander Col. James Slife, according to AOL Defense. The squadron’s demanding mission “require[s] new leadership to maintain the highest levels of precision,” he said. All five of the Osprey’s aircrew were injured in the June 13 mishap that occurred during a training mission at the neighboring Eglin Range Complex. Maj. Brian Luce, one of the pilots, and TSgt. Christopher Dawson, a flight engineer, were released from hospital care two days after the crash, while the squadron temporarily suspended flight operations. On June 19, Capt. Brett Cassidy, the second pilot, was discharged from the hospital, announced Hurlburt officials June 20. That left flight engineers TSgt. Edilberto Malave and SSgt. Sean McMahon still undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, they said.
Pakistan's kill chain of Chinese-origin weapons was likely a bigger factor in shooting down an Indian fighter than the jets' relative strengths, an expert said.