Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said he’s sure there will be some “surprises” in the F-35 flight test program, but overall, he feels it’s safe to bet on the program’s success. “We’ve invested billions in risk reduction” on the F-35, Schwartz said. He continued, saying things always pop up in flight test, but he asked rhetorically: “Will there be something that puts the whole program in jeopardy? I don’t think so.” Many lessons were learned from the F-22, Schwartz said, and these have been vigorously applied to the F-35. Software was a huge pacing factor on the F-22, for example, but it’s being managed well on the F-35, removing a major element of risk. (Also see Eglin to Begin Initial F-35 Training, Production to Ramp Up)
Gene Smith, Former POW and AFA Chair, Dies at 91
Jan. 19, 2026
Lt. Col. Richard “Gene” Smith, who overcame five and a half years as a prisoner of war in the notorious Hanoi Hilton from 1967 until 1973, died Jan. 16. He was one day short of his 91st birthday.
