The Bush Administration has nominated Maj. Gen. Loren Reno for a third star and to become the new deputy chief of staff for logistics, installations, and mission support on the Air Staff. He would replace Lt. Gen. Kevin Sullivan, who retired Nov. 1 after receiving a letter of reprimand, the harshest punishment given to six generals cited for a lack of leadership in their nuclear oversight roles. Michael Aimone, the assistant DCS, is currently also the acting DCS. To replace Reno as the commander of Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker AFB, Okla., the Air Force has selected Maj. Gen. Patrick Gillett Jr., currently serving as director of logistics at Air Combat Command.
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.