The US Air Force stopped flying the F-111 nearly 15 years ago, while the Royal Australian Air Force has continued flying its F-111s and expected to do so until the end of this year. However, according to media reports, the RAAF has just temporarily grounded its fleet following a problem encountered during an appearance at the Singapore air show last week. The engine on one fighter caught fire in mid-air Feb. 4, but the pilot made an emergency landing without incident. (Some RAAF F-111s made a US appearance in 2006, flying in Red Flag.) (See The Australian report; ABC News in Australia report)
A legislative standoff has led to a lapse in a $4.26 billion small business innovation contracting program widely used by the Air Force and could spell the end of it entirely, industry sources warned Air & Space Forces Magazine.


