Air Force Personnel Center officials believe Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz will formally approve within a few weeks the new physical fitness instruction senior service leaders unveiled in June. According to an Aug. 21 release, the new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2010, and AFPC officials recommend that airmen not wait for that date before embracing the new regimen. CMSgt. Mark Long, USAF’s enlisted promotions, evaluations, and physical fitness chief, said that the new rules would “bring about not only increased fitness, but greater clarity and understanding for both commanders and airmen.” (AFPC report by Daniel Elkins)
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.