F-15C Eagles will form the “enemy” force of the 65th Aggressor Squadron, which USAF plans to reinvigorate Jan. 12 at Nellis AFB, Nev., after a 17-year absence. The Air Force is stepping up its “enemy” fleet to “provide realistic adversary training,” said Gen. Michael Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff, in a letter to the field. Previously the 65th flew F-5E fighters. The other adversary unit, the 64th Aggressor Squadron flies F-16s. USAF plans to start up the 65th with nine F-15s, adding another 15 as the aircraft become available—primarily from Air National Guard units that are losing their aircraft under BRAC 2005.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.