Air Force grounds B-1 bombers over safety concerns

A B-1 bomber takes off From Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., to perform a flyover in honor of U.S. Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. David Thatcher, June 27, 2016. Thatcher was the engineer gunner of a B-25 medium-range bomber on Crew #7, “The Ruptured Duck,” during the Doolittle Raid on April 18, 1942. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Denise M. Nevins/Released)

June 9 (UPI) — The U.S. Air Force ordered its entire fleet of B-1 bombers to stand down over concerns of ejection seat safety, military officials said Friday.

Air Force Global Strike Command issued the order Thursday after the emergency landing of a B-1B in Midland, Texas. None of the crew involved in that flight were injured.

The Safety Investigation Board was evaluating the ejection seat components in order to recommend corrective actions.

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