The Hawaii Air National Guard’s 199th Fighter Squadron began flying training missions again after the crash of one of its F-15Ds on Feb. 1, reports the Honolulu Advertiser. The Air Guard unit, which is slated to trade its Eagles for the new F-22 Raptor, still has seven of its F-15s on the ground pending further evaluation of the structural problem that led to the Nov. 2 crash of a Missouri ANG F-15C. (See above) The investigation into the Hawaii Air Guard crash is ongoing, but officials said the aircraft did not break apart so they feel confident it did not suffer a structural failure.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.