The safety investigation board looking into last week’s fatal C-17 crash convened Monday at JB Elmendorf, Alaska, to begin its inquiry, base spokesman Bob Hall told the Daily Report. The C-17 went down shortly after takeoff from Elmendorf on a training flight July 28, killing the four airmen aboard. The aircraft was assigned to Elmendorf’s 3rd Wing. News of the safety investigation’s beginning came as base officials released photos of the C-17’s wreckage. (See Elmendorf report by SrA. Cynthia Spalding)
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.