Protests are mounting over USAF’s planned transfer of C-130s from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units to the active duty formal training unit at Little Rock AFB, Ark. Complaint letters sent to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley—the latest from the House National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus and National Governors Association—share a common concern that USAF made the decision without consulting the states or key Guard and Reserve leaders. Co-chairs of the House caucus, Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) and Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), called it “disturbing” that USAF would try “unilaterally transferring” aircraft with “minimal consultation.” … The governors association said transfer of the ANG C-130s would “significantly reduce” the ability of the targeted states to conduct both homeland defense and overseas missions and … . Continue
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.