Air Education and Training Command leader Gen. William Looney has ordered a standdown for all T-38C Talon training, following the second fatal accident in two weeks involving the primary trainer for initial fighter-bomber pilot training. In a May 1 statement, Looney said that the service had “no evidence” that the incidents at Columbus AFB, Miss., and Sheppard AFB, Tex., are related and added, “until we have a more complete understanding of the causes of both accidents, it’s prudent to stand down the T-38s.” Both accidents are still under investigation.
Lt. Gen. Stephen L. Davis, the Department of the Air Force’s top internal watchdog, has been nominated to lead Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees the service’s bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles.