An Air Force Reserve Command pilot safely ejected as his F-16 crashed into the Gulf of Mexico near Key West, Fla. at about 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15. A Navy helicopter crew picked up the pilot, who was flying a training mission from the 482nd Fighter Wing at Homestead ARB, Fla. The Air Force will launch an investigation board.
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.