A QF-4 Phantom from Holloman AFB, N.M., crashed Wednesday southwest of Roswell, N.M., at about 10:30 a.m. local time, according to base officials. The pilot ejected safely and was in good condition, said Col. David Krumm, commander of Holloman’s 49th Wing. The aircraft was assigned to the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron, Det. 1 at Holloman. The unit operates these airplanes as full-scale targets at White Sands Missile Range. The officials said they would provide additional details as they become available. The QF-4 can be flown with a pilot in the cockpit or by a remote operator controlling the aircraft from a ground station. (Holloman release)
The United States Air Force is flying less than historic norms and funding for acquisition and readiness is on a path to further hollow out this too small and old force to that is incapable of sustaining an enduring combat air campaign.
