The 
Defense Department’s Inspector General is investigating the probe conducted by an Air Force accident investigation board on the fatal F-22 crash in Alaska in November 2010. “The assessment will focus on the adherence of the AIB to the procedures set forth in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 51-503, ‘Aerospace Accident Investigations,'” wrote Randolph Stone, deputy IG for policy and oversight, to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley in a Jan. 25 letter. It will also “verify that AIB conclusions are supported by evidence of record consistent with standards of proof established by AFI 51-503,” states the missive. Bridget Serchak, an IG office spokeswoman, told the Daily Report “this project has just gotten underway,” so it’s not clear when the investigation will be complete. Pacific Air Forces accident investigators determined that the F-22 pilot’s failure to “recognize and initiate a timely dive recovery” was the most direct cause of the Raptor crash. They also cited contributing factors like training deficiencies in their report, released in December. Capt. Jeffrey Haney, a pilot assigned to JB Elmendorf, Alaska, lost his life in the crash. (AFI 51-503 full text and F-22 AIB report; caution, large sized documents.)
We looked back on the past 12 months to find the stories that resonated the most with you, our audience, and these 10 topped the list. Maybe you missed one the first time around, or perhaps you’d like to revisit a favorite.