An F-35B jump jet practices vertical landing at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. (US Marine Corps)
Breaking Defense: Marines order 2-day aviation stand down after F-35 goes missing, third mishap in 6 weeks
During the stand down, units will discuss "fundamentals of safe flight operations, ground safety, maintenance and flight procedures, and maintaining combat readiness," Marines say.
Acting Marines Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith today issued a two-day stand down for all Marine aviation units, following a six-week stretch that saw two fatal accidents followed by a 24-hour jet-hunt for a missing stealth fighter.
In a press release, the Marine Corps said that with “three Class-A aviation mishaps over the last six weeks,” Smith “directed all Marine Corps aviation units to conduct a two-day pause in operations this week to discuss aviation safety matters and best practices.
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Update #1: As Marines continue to search for F-35 after 'mishap,' officials order 2-day stand-down for all jets (ABC News)
Update #2: With F-35 still missing, Marine Corps holds aviation standdown (Marine Times)
WNU Editor: Some are wondering if this was a cyberattack .... New Footage Reveals Wreckage Of F-35 Jet Amidst Speculation Of Potential 'Cyberattack' (Zero Hedge).