The remains of Capt. James E. Cross, of Warren, Ohio, and Capt. Gomer D. Reese III, of Scarsdale, N.Y., have been identified, the Pentagon announced Sept. 25.Cross and Reese were flying a U-17B light aircraft on an orientation flight on April 24, 1970, over Xiangkhoang Province, Laos, when their aircraft was struck by enemy ground fire, crashed, and burned, with no signs of survivors. Based on surveys and excavations of the crash site between 1994 and 1998, in 2004, and in 2007, US and Laotian officials recovered human remains and crew-related items that led to the identification of both airmen, DOD said.
The Air Force plans to add external weapons pylons on the B-1B bomber, both to increase the number of aircraft that can test hypersonic missiles and expand the Lancer’s loadout as USAF transitions to the B-21 bomber.