F-35 grounding notice from US DOD

That would be a grounding folks. And (yet again) with no root cause, you can't put peace time aircrews at risk. I sure to miss the option of having the GE/RR- F136.

Released on the day before everyone goes on 4th of July holiday....

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No: NR-358-14
July 03, 2014
Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby on F-35 Fleet Grounding

The technical air worthiness authorities of the Department of the Air Force and Department of the Navy have issued a directive to ground the F-35 fleet based on initial findings from the runway fire incident that occurred at Eglin Air Force Base on Monday, June 23. The root cause of the incident remains under investigation. Additional inspections of F-35 engines have been ordered, and return to flight will be determined based on inspection results and analysis of engineering data. Defense Department leadership supports this prudent approach. Preparations continue for F-35 participation in international air shows in the United Kingdom, however a final decision will come early next week.

You can inspect all you want at the unit level, but unless a root-cause has been issued one doesn't know what they are really inspecting.

In other news, the UK celebrates what could be the largest known helicopter carrier for any navy.

H/T- The Base Leg, Molotovflicker, Aaron Mehta via Twitter.