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Marine Corps Commandant Eric Smith on Monday issued a two-day aviation stand-down for all Marine aviation units inside and outside the United States after an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet went missing the day before.
According to a Marine Corps statement:
Following three Class-A aviation mishaps over the last six weeks, Acting Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. 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.
During the safety stand down, aviation commanders will lead discussions with their Marines focusing on the fundamentals of safe flight operations, ground safety, maintenance and flight procedures, and maintaining combat readiness. This stand down being taken to ensure the service is maintaining operational standardization of combat-ready aircraft with well-prepared pilots and crews.
