The US Air Force is assisting Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, and the Israeli Air Force in determining the source of a type of formaldehyde found in IAF F-16 fighters, reports the Jerusalem Post. The problem erupted earlier this year when Israeli pilots noticed a strange smell in one fighter that later proved to be a type of formaldehyde that is known to cause cancer, prompting the IAF to ground the fighters. The US Air Force has not had a similar problem with its F-16s, according to Air Combat Command boss Gen. John Corley. The IAF is installing special filters that appear to work to eliminate the problem in some of the aircraft but not all.
President Donald Trump signed legislation reopening the federal government late Nov. 12, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The move sets the stage for tens of thousands of defense civilians to return to work and guarantees troops will be paid in a few days’ time.
