B-2 bomber flights on 'pause' after crash

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Air Force's B-2 flight operations remain suspended in the United States and Guam after the weekend crash of a batwing stealth aircraft in Guam, according to an Air Force spokesman.

The Air Force is describing the move as a "temporary pause" to review safety procedures.

However, the spokesman said, the B-2 fleet remains ready to fly if needed.

On Saturday, a B-2 went down shortly after takeoff from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. The pilots ejected safely.

Guam is a U.S. territory 3,700 miles southwest of Hawaii.

Officials said it was the first time a B-2 had crashed. Each aircraft is worth more than $1 billion.

The planes are on the ground while safety reviews are conducted into the accident, the spokesman said.

Flight operations could resume as early as Monday, he said, but it was not clear what steps would have to be taken before the planes would fly again.

When there is a major unexplained crash of a military aircraft, a pause in operations typically occurs while crews are debriefed and safety procedures are reviewed.

Under Air Force procedures, this action is considered a "safety pause."

A "stand-down" or "grounding" would occur only if ordered by senior Air Force commanders from the Air Combat Command. That has not happened. E-mail to a friend

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