The 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa AB, Japan, is the first F-16 unit to complete back-to-back Combat Archer and Combat Hammer weapon system evaluation programs. The 13th FS Vipers first flew Archer at Tyndall AFB, Fla., and went immediately to Hammer, flown out of Eglin AFB, Fla. The Misawa airmen also got the opportunity to train with F-15s from the 494th Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, UK. “Outside of combat, we can’t get this type of training anywhere else, and combining the two programs saves our unit a lot of time and money,” said Lt. Col. Steve Williams, 13th FS commander. Eglin’s 53rd Wing runs the WSEPs, which permit live weapon firing, which Williams said can’t be done in Japan. (53rd Wing report by SSgt. Samuel King Jr.)
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.