The US General Accounting Office says, that the US Air Force and US Navy, budgeted $132 million more than needed for aviation spare parts, because of questionable policies concerning requirements. It says that the USAF failed to consider $72 million in on-hand assets when it prepared its fiscal year 1996 budget, and the USN counted $60 million in depot maintenance requirements twice when preparing its FY96 spending request.
Source: Flight International
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.
Athens signed a long-sought letter of offer and acceptance with airframer Lockheed Martin covering 20 F-35 stealth fighters, with options for a further 20 jets.
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
