An Air Force CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crashed during a routine training mission on the evening of June 13 at the Eglin Range, north of Navarre, Fla., announced Air Force Special Operations Command officials. The aircraft’s five aircrew members were injured, but none of the injuries are life-threatening, said the officials in AFSOC’s June 14 release. First responders transported the aircrew to local hospitals. AFSOC identified the injured as: Maj. Brian Luce, one of the pilots, listed in stable condition; Capt. Brett Cassidy, the second pilot, stable condition; SSgt. Sean McMahon, flight engineer, guarded condition; TSgt. Christopher Dawson, flight engineer, stable condition; and TSgt. Edilberto Malave, flight engineer, stable condition. “Right now, our efforts are focused on doing all we can to support our injured airmen and their families,” said Col. Jim Slife, 1st Special Operations Wing commander at Hurlburt Field, Fla., where the CV-22 and airmen are assigned. Slife told reporters at Hurlburt on June 14 that the mishap occurred during a two-ship gunnery training mission, reported ABC News. The aircraft was found upside down and had significant damage, said Slife. A board of officials is investigating the accident, according to AFSOC. (See also our initial coverage.)
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.