A temporary suspension of F-35 flight operations remains in effect at Eglin AFB, Fla., following a fire on an F-35A on June 23. “In the interest of safety, we’re going to continue the suspension,” 33rd Fighter Wing spokeswoman 1st Lt. Hope Cronin told Air Force Magazine on Wednesday. On Monday, as an F-35A was preparing to take off, a fire broke out in the back end of the aircraft. The pilot escaped the airplane injury-free. “We take all ground emergencies seriously,” said Navy Capt. Paul Haas, 33rd Fighter Wing vice commander, at the time. “In this case, the pilot followed the appropriate procedures which allowed for the safe abort of the mission, engine shutdown, and egress.” The fire’s cause is under investigation.?
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.