Two crashes leads to safety pause

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The commander of Eglin Air Force Base said the base will take a “safety pause” on Thursday, after the crash of two fifth-generation fighter jets within days of one another. An F-22 crashed on Eglin’s test and training range Friday morning during a training flight. Four days later an F-35 crashed on the base’s air field. Both pilots safely ejected without significant injuries. Brig. Gen. Scott Cain, commander of the 96th Test Wing, said in a Facebook post Wednesday that the base needs to turn its attention to improving safety. He ordered commanders at all levels to conduct a “virtual safety day” Thursday, in reflection of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Cain also asked the wing’s safety office to prepare a safety briefing to be used across the base. Cain said the investigations into both accidents are still in their early phases. (Source: Air Force Times, 05/20/20)