Anna Haney, the widow of F-22 pilot Capt. Jeffrey Haney, who was killed when his aircraft crashed in Alaska in November 2010, is suing Lockheed Martin and several other contractors for her husband's death. The 153-page complaint, filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill., alleges that the aircraft was "unreasonably defective," citing failures with the onboard oxygen-generating system, environmental control system, and other life-support systems meant to provide breathable oxygen to the pilot. The suit also alleges that the aircraft was "designed, manufactured, distributed, and sold in a dangerous and defective condition," because such failures were overlooked. Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Stephanie Stinn told the Daily Report that the Haney's accident was "a tragic event" and that the company "sympathizes with the family for their loss." However, she said, "We do not agree with those allegations and we will respond to them through the appropriate legal process." The Air Force, which is not listed as a defendant in the lawsuit, declined to comment. Air Force investigators determined that Haney's failure to initiate a timely dive recovery was the most direct cause of his fatal crash. The Pentagon's inspector general is currently reviewing those findings to determine whether the investigation followed proper procedures. (Anna Haney's complaint; caution, very large-sized file.)

Air Force Special Operations Command has changed the name of its new MC-130J aircraft. Gone is Combat Shadow II. In its place is Commando II, announced command officials Thursday. “This name best reflects the multi-mission role of the aircraft and...

The Air Force’s final F-22 Raptor—tail number 4195—conducted its first test flight in Marietta, Ga., this week, announced manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Company test pilot Bret Luedke flew the aircraft during Wednesday’s sortie. This aircraft—the last of 187 production F-22s built...

US and Turkish pilots successfully synched their communications for the first time using the Link 16 airborne network during the Anatolian Falcon 2012 exercise that concluded on Thursday in Konya, Turkey. “To be on the system with the Turkish air...

Army Gen. Charles Jacoby, US Northern Command boss, and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp signed the Arctic capability assessment working group white paper that outlines potential US security requirements for the region. "We've done a capabilities gap assessment principally in the areas of communications, domain awareness, infrastructure, and presence," Jacoby told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday when discussing the document. He and Papp signed the white paper later that same day in Washington, D.C. Jacoby said the document contains recommendations "that might lead to prudent investments to position us for [the] eventual opening of the Arctic." Under the Pentagon's newest unified command plan, NORTHCOM is the advocate for Arctic capabilities. Jacoby said the "Arctic is a unique domain" requiring the US military to possess "special capabilities and capacities" to operate there effectively. "With the opening of the Arctic, there is sure to be commercial and economic interests," he told the committee. "Historically, those are followed closely by security interests and we will seek to stay ahead of the challenge . . . and make sure that the Arctic is explored and the resources exploited in a collaborative, peaceful way." (Jacoby's prepared testimony)

The unemployment rate for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has fallen to 7.6 percent, below the overall national unemployment rate that now stands at 8.3 percent, said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Thursday. The current veterans’ unemployment rate...

Air Force advisors from Laughlin AFB, Tex., are flying C-27A airlift missions alongside Afghan air force crews, simultaneously mentoring the Afghans, organizing the Afghans’ new unit, and conducting combat support from Kabul airport. “On one level, we are teaching the...

Four officers of the Burundian air force studied US Air Force flight and ground safety methods on a five-day visit to Ramstein AB, Germany. Sponsored by US Africa Command and the State Department, “the visit was focused around the ways...

Air Combat Command investigators determined that a sun shelter on the flight line at Nellis AFB, Nev., collapsed in high-winds last September due to missing and damaged braces needed to secure the structure. Maintenance personnel secured aircraft and equipment on base ahead of the storm, according to the findings of ACC's accident investigation board. Wind gusts of up to 56 knots reduced airfield visibility to near zero, states the report. Ground crews were loading 10 F-16s and two A-10s with weapons for live-fire exercises when the structure collapsed on the aircraft on Sept. 8, 2011. Eight of the 40 personnel on scene sustained minor injuries. Additionally, nine vehicles and 21 pieces of airfield equipment were damaged, states the report. Explosives ordnance disposal personnel were dispatched to secure the weapons, including four damaged AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, according to the report. The total cost of repairing or replacing aircraft, vehicles, and equipment was pegged at $7.4 million. (ACC release) (AIB report; caution, large-sized file.)