Defense Department forensic scientists have identified the remains of Maj. Larry J. Hanley, 26, of Walla Walla, Wash., an airman missing in action in Southeast Asia since 1969, announced Pentagon officials. DOD is returning Hanley’s remains to his family for burial with full military honors; that burial is scheduled to take place in Hanley’s hometown on July 13, states the Pentagon’s July 8 release. On Nov. 4, 1969, Hanley, an F-105D Thunderchief pilot, was attacking an enemy anti-aircraft position, when his aircraft crashed in Khammouan Province, Laos, according to the release. Since the exact location of the crash site remained unknown, Pentagon officials declared Hanley missing in action; in 1979, his status changed to killed in action. In February 2012, US officials received human remains found at a crash site in Khammouan Province. The forensic scientists used dental comparisons and mitochondrial DNA matches to help identify Hanley.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.