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)
The top Air Force commander on on the Japanese island of Okinawa has clamped down alcohol and issued a curfew for junior enlisted Airmen and Guardians at Kadena Air Base for the next month. The order came roughly two weeks after a U.S. Marine was arrested for allegedly robbing and…