Air Mobility Command suffered only one serious aircraft mishap in Fiscal 2014, compared to four in the previous fiscal year, announced the command. At the same time, AMC aircraft experienced seven less-serious mishaps, a slight increase from Fiscal 2013, states the command’s mid-November release. The lone Class A mishap involved a C-17 transport that suffered a severe in-flight engine failure, but was able to land safely at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, according to the release. Engine foreign object damage accounted for four of AMC’s seven Class B mishaps, all seven of which were limited to aircraft engines. There were three Class B incidents with KC-10 tankers: two involving FOD and a third dealing with an in-flight engine failure that is currently under investigation. The C-5M was AMC’s only major aircraft fleet that suffered no Class A or Class B incidents in Fiscal 2014, according to the command. The Class B accident tally also included a C-130H, C-40B, KC-135R, and C-17. A Class A mishap involves loss of life, an injury resulting in permanent or total disability, the destruction of an aircraft, or more than $2 million in property damage or loss. A Class B accident entails property damage or loss between $500,000 and $2 million, a permanent partial disability, or inpatient hospitalization of three or more personnel. (See also Safest Year for Air Force Aviation.)
The U.S. conducted a series of airstrikes against Islamic State camps in Syria on Oct. 28, as the Pentagon continues its efforts to thwart the militant group from making a comeback.