The remains of four airmen missing in action since the Vietnam War have been identified and returned to their families for burial with full military honors, the Defense Department announced Monday. They are: Capt. Peter H. Chapman, II, Centerburg, Ohio; TSgt. Allen J. Avery, Auburn, Mass.; TSgt. Roy D. Prater, Tiffin, Ohio; and Sgt. James H. Alley, Plantation, Fla. These four airmen were among the six aboard a HH-53C helicopter during a combat search and rescue mission on April 6, 1972, over Quang Tri province in South Vietnam. The helicopter was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed. Prater is to be buried in Columbia City, Ind., on June 19. Other burials are being scheduled individually by these airmen’s families, said defense officials. Just last week, DOD announced the recovery of the remains of nine other airmen missing in action in Vietnam since 1968. (DOD release)
The first flight of the secretive B-21 bomber has slipped to mid-2022, but the program is moving along well, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director Randall Walden said in an exclusive interview. The second copy of the B-21, which will be used for structural testing, is now on the production…