Navy Provides Video and Flight Recorder of F-16 in the Ocean: Air Force officials have underwater footage and the flight data recorder of the Shaw AFB, S.C., F-16 that crashed into the ocean on April 5, reports the Myrtle Beach Sun News. US Navy divers provided both. The Air Force sent the recorder to the Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M., and will use the video to determine whether to salvage the aircraft. The accident is still under investigation. The pilot ejected and, at some point, suffered broken legs among other injuries.
Every year, Congress and the military debate which combat assets should head to the boneyard and which have more life left in them. Lawmakers often opt to keep Air Force systems that bring jobs to their districts, which complicates matters as the service looks to modernize and ditch certain platforms.…