The switch of Buckley Air National Guard Base to Buckley Air Force Base in 2000 required a long-term facility plan that includes some 19 projects that are either done or in the works through 2015. Among the projects already completed are: a fitness center and second dorm in 2004; wing headquarters building and infrastructure upgrades in 2005; medical clinic additions, chapel, and child development center in 2006; and 351 privatized housing units and a services administration building in 2007. On the way toward completion this year are leadership development and communications centers, and for next year, a consolidated fuels facility and a combination visitors quarters/temporary lodging facility. The remaining list includes: security forces operations facility (2010); education center with library and logistics complex (2013); and government vehicle maintenance facility and small arms range (2015). That’s not all. Work at Buckley also will include some BRAC 2005-inspired projects, including a building for the Air Reserve Personnel Center, currently located at the former Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. (Buckley report by MSgt. Dorothy Goepel)
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.