A new U.S. Army field manual presents guidance on Army aircraft recovery operations (pdf).
“Aircraft recovery missions include the assessment, repair, and retrieval, if possible, of aircraft forced down due to component malfunction, accident, or combat-related damage that prevents the continued safe flight or operation of the aircraft,” the manual explains.
“The aircraft recovery mission is complete upon the return of all personnel and either: The return of the aircraft through self-recovery or dedicated recovery utilizing aerial or surface recovery methods and techniques; [or] the selective cannibalization and destruction or abandonment of the aircraft.”
See “Aircraft Recovery Operations,” U.S. Army Field Manual 3-04.513, July 2008.
A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed near Guam on July 21.
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