The International Security Assistance Force reports that a US Air Force CV-22 Osprey crashed late last night in southern Afghanistan, killing three service members and one civilian employee and injuring numerous other service members. Cause of the crash is unknown, according to the ISAF release, which also noted that the tilt-rotor aircraft had crashed about seven miles west of Qalat City in Zabul Province. Air Force Special Operations Command’s CV-22 force made its combat debut in Southwest Asia last fall.
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe recently pledged “a plus-up in manpower” for the maintainer ranks, as the service prepares to launch a major overhaul of its maintenance career field next year.