The Air
Force has awarded Bronze Star medals to an explosive ordnance disposal technician from Edwards AFB, Calif., and a communications superintendent and an air control technician from Luke AFB, Ariz., and an EOD tech from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. MSgt. David Larriva received his award for actions during deployment to Iraq, where he served as part of a quick-response force EOD team, working outside the wire to neutralize IEDs. CMSgt. Bryce Maxson served as superintendent of the 332nd Expeditionary Mission support Group at Balad AB, Iraq, and helped to stand up the 438th Air Expeditionary Group at Al Asad AB, Iraq, aiding more than 1,400 A-10 close air support missions. TSgt. David Oddo, who deployed to an Army-run joint task force supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, managed the common operating picture, employing radar and sensor data. TSgt. Cayle Harris received his medal for his leading an EOD flight team during deployment to Iraq.
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.