The Thunderbirds air demonstration squadron has returned home to Nellis AFB, Nev., after a six-week tour of the Pacific Far East that started in late September. The team capped its Pacific tour by performing at the Seoul air show from Oct. 23-25 after shows in Australia, Guam, Hawaii, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand. “America has an unbelievable relationship with many countries in the Far East, and our tour over the last six weeks representing America’s airmen has been a great success and a humbling opportunity for the entire Thunderbird team,” said Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, Thunderbirds commander. The squadron will perform at the Wings Over Homestead air show Nov. 7-8 at Homestead ARB, Fla., and then conclude its 2009 season with performances at Nellis Nov. 14-15. (Nellis report by TSgt. Randy Redman)
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.