Air Force and industry technicians joined forces to get two damaged B-52H bombers from Guam back to the United States for repair. Last fall, airmen discovered a crack in the rear spar terminal fitting of aircraft 61-003. This fitting is where the wing meets the aircraft’s fuselage; it supports a large percentage of the wing’s load, according to B-52 specialists at Tinker AFB, Okla. Craftsmen beefed up the area with plates so the B-52 could make the trip to Wichita, Kan., in March for more permanent repair at Boeing’s aircraft facility there. In October 2010, the second B-52, aircraft 61-039, suffered severe structural damage after catastrophic failure of its No. 5 inboard engine during takeoff. The aircraft needed a new strut before its trip to Wichita in August. Both aircraft were “107” cases, meaning they required repair beyond the capability of the expeditionary unit. (Tinker release)
Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen concocted a story to cover up that he fired his M18 9mm pistol into Airman Braden Lovan’s chest, killing him on July 20, two Airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., testified during separate courts martial proceedings on Oct. 30-31.
