John Henderson, the Air Force’s assistant secretary for installations, environment, and energy, raised concerns about military housing provider Balfour Beatty Communities in a Sept. 30 letter to the company, saying Tinker AFB, Okla., is suffering from newly discovered issues in on-base homes. All 292 duplex units built by Balfour Beatty at Tinker need repairs, including 77 units that do not meet fire safety code. Homes also suffer from mold, rodents, pests, radon gas, and other structural deficits, according to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), who visited the units with Henderson and Acting Air Force Secretary Matt Donovan. Read the full story by Rachel S. Cohen.

Seven people are confirmed or presumed dead in the Oct. 2 crash of a restored World War II-era B-17, while an Air National Guardsman who was on the plane is credited with swiftly helping the injured to escape as the bomber was engulfed in flames. Three crew members and 10 passengers were aboard the aircraft when it crashed in Connecticut. Among them was an unnamed Air National Guardsman who “popped the hatch” of the back of the plane to evacuate the injured after the crash, according to local TV news. National Transportation Safety Board member Jennifer Homendy said in a press conference that investigators will look at an engine that concerned the pilot. Read the full story by Brian Everstine and Rachel S. Cohen.

Despite the drawn-out public fight over Turkey’s purchase of the Russian-made S400 missile system and the country’s subsequent expulsion from the F-35 program, the military relationship between Washington and Ankara “remains productive,” the head of the US military in Europe said Oct. 3. Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, commander of US European Command, pointed to ongoing joint patrols in Syria as an example of American and Turkish forces working together. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.

The US Air Force Academy is mourning the death of its longest-serving mascot, Aurora, a white phase gyrfalcon that died Oct. 2 at age 23. “Emblematic of the beauty and majesty of our Falcons, Aurora will be greatly missed by generations of cadets, graduates, faculty members and so many others,” USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria said. In more than two decades of service to the Academy, Aurora interacted with thousands of people in the football stadium and at other sporting events and community engagements. “In addition to serving as an ambassador for the Academy, she was an ambassador for all falcons, helping us educate the public on the importance of these majestic birds,” Col. Jennifer Alexander, the officer in charge of the Academy’s falconry team, said. “She was a feisty, spirited bird who commanded respect.” Aurora lived about twice as long as wild falcons. She was a rare bird, according to the Academy. Just 3 percent of all falcons are gyrfalcons, and 1 percent of those are white. —Brian Everstine