On Friday, in addition to several aircraft basing announcements (see above), USAF issued a candidate list to host MQ-1 and MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft ground control stations: Ellsworth AFB, S.D.; Langley AFB, Va.; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; and Whiteman AFB, Mo. Communities now have the opportunity to participate in the environmental impact analysis process, moving toward a final basing announcement in June. There was no indication whether the sites would be operated wholly or in part by active duty or reserve components. (Ground control station release)
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the Texas Air National Guard’s 149th Fighter Wing crashed during a training mission in Michigan on Sept. 17. The fighter's sole pilot ejected and is in stable condition at a local hospital.
