More than 400 airmen from Barksdale AFB, La., worked tirelessly around the clock starting Oct. 31 to help local officials in northern Bossier Parish reinforce a levee meant to contain the Red Chute Bayou against rising waters that had surged nearly 10 feet above normal levels after severe storms ravaged northwest Louisiana. The airmen filled sandbags and hauled them to the affected areas along the bayou to prevent the floodwaters from overtaking local residences. “I want to extend my sincere gratitude [to the airmen] for their dedication and work during this natural disaster,” said Rep. John Fleming (R-La.), in whose district Bossier Parish and Barksdale lie, in a floor speech Monday. He said their efforts prove “once again, why the United States military is the greatest assemblage of outstanding men and women in the world.” (Includes Bossier City report by Maj. Carie A. Parker)
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.