Latest "Air Combat Command" stories

Pilot program for F-35 maintainers ends with little fanfare

“Ultimately, the [Lightning Technician Program] concept did not meet the needs of the Air Force enterprise,” the service said.

By Rachel S. Cohen

2 months ago

F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 138th Fighter Wing participate in an elephant walk, June 4, 2021, at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Okla. The elephant walk was part of a large-scale readiness exercise that was conducted to test the wing's ability to rapidly deploy combat ready forces across the globe. (Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Imwalle/Air National Guard)

Fighter pilot who tailed a civilian plane blamed for destroying F-16

Investigators blamed the pilot for his jet’s demise, saying the airman could have regained control over the F-16.

By Rachel S. Cohen

2 months ago

Fighter fleet is strained — and bill is coming due, ACC chief says

Air Combat Command head Gen. Mark Kelly said the 2018 Air Force We Need study, which called for 62 fighter squadrons, was on the money.

By Stephen Losey

5 months ago

An F-16 pilot died when his ejection seat failed. Was it counterfeit?

New details about 1st Lt. David Schmitz's death have come to light in a federal civil lawsuit filed by his wife against three defense companies.

By Rachel S. Cohen

5 months ago

Here’s what we know about F-35 ejection seat woes so far

Military officials won’t answer whether they’ve found the problem on any planes.

By Rachel S. Cohen and Stephen Losey

6 months ago

Air Force grounds F-35As as ejection seat issue threatens fighter jets worldwide

Air Combat Command aims to finish checking its F-35As for faulty ejection seats by mid-October.

By Rachel S. Cohen

6 months ago