An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft assigned to the 29th Attack Squadron at Holloman AFB, N.M., crashed this week, becoming the second RPA mishap at the desert base since Oct. 22. The Reaper crashed on landing Wednesday evening after returning from a training mission, according to Holloman officials. There were no injuries or property damage in the incident. Back on Oct. 22, an MQ-1 Predator, assigned to Holloman’s 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, also crashed on landing after a routine training mission. These two accidents are under investigation. By our count, this is the third RPA crash at Holloman since the base’s RPA schoolhouse assumed operations in September 2009. (Holloman release) (See Predator Crashes at Holloman from the Daily Report archives.)
Trainees in Basic Military Training and technical school no longer have the option to try alternate PT drills if they fail an initial assessment, according to a policy change the Air Force made in April. The move is part of a larger shift out of the classroom and into hands-on,…