Air Force officials have appointed Brig. Gen. Stanley Clarke to lead the investigation into the A-10 strafing accident that killed one Canadian soldier and wounded several others during Operation Medusa in Afghanistan last week. An Air Force spokesperson told Stars and Stripes that Clarke, who is deputy director of strategic planning on the Air Staff and an Alabama Air National Guardsman, is in Afghanistan for the inquiry. The spokesperson also revealed that the pilot of the A-10 was from Spangdahlem AB, Germany.
Expanded production of the B-21 bomber can be accomplished at Northrop Grumman's existing Palmdale, Calif., facilities, the Air Force said. It also said test aircraft will be so simular to the production version that early examples could be used in combat if called for.