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.?
The U.K. and the U.S. will continue to enjoy access to the ports, airfield, and workshops at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for at least another century, under a deal inked between the U.K. and Mauritius May 22.