A temporary suspension of F-35 flight operations remains in effect at Eglin AFB, Fla., following a fire on an F-35A on June 23. “In the interest of safety, we’re going to continue the suspension,” 33rd Fighter Wing spokeswoman 1st Lt. Hope Cronin told Air Force Magazine on Wednesday. On Monday, as an F-35A was preparing to take off, a fire broke out in the back end of the aircraft. The pilot escaped the airplane injury-free. “We take all ground emergencies seriously,” said Navy Capt. Paul Haas, 33rd Fighter Wing vice commander, at the time. “In this case, the pilot followed the appropriate procedures which allowed for the safe abort of the mission, engine shutdown, and egress.” The fire’s cause is under investigation.?
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.