An Air Force C-17 transport crashed late Wednesday (about 6:14 p.m. Alaska time) near JB Elmendorf, Alaska, killing the four airmen on board. The aircraft, assigned to Elmendorf’s 3rd Wing, was on a local training mission. Three of the airmen were Alaska Air National Guardsmen; the fourth was on active duty. Their names have not been released yet, pending notification of kin. “Our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of those airmen killed in this crash. Yesterday, we lost four members of our Arctic Warrior family and it’s a loss felt across our entire joint installation,” said Col. John McMullen, 3rd Wing Commander, in a statement from the base. According to an Alaska Dispatch report, the C-17 went down shortly after takeoff. An accident investigation board will investigate the crash and more information will be released as it becomes available. The crash came just days before the base’s popular Arctic Thunder air show and open house, scheduled for this weekend. (Initial Elmendorf release) (See also AFP report and Aolnews.com report, and AP report.)
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.