TSgt. Ruben Martinez, an investigator with the 78th Security Force Squadron at Robins AFB, Ga., on Oct. 30 received a Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious service in Iraq. Martinez was recognized for his work as a police transition team chief with the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Sather Air Base from September 2008 to September 2009. Also honored was TSgt. Willie Thompson of 17th Air Force at Ramstein AB, Germany, who on Oct. 20 was awarded a Bronze Star for his exceptional performance in Iraq from August of 2008 to February of 2009. He served as the noncommissioned officer in charge of operations for a task force involved in high-priority combat missions. (Robins report by Wayne Crenshaw and Ramstein photo caption by MSgt. Jim Fisher)
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.