Air Force Reserve officials unveiled plans to streamline unit structures and adjust manpower levels in California, Georgia, and Texas by Fiscal 2012. “These changes are the result of a 13-month analytical effort intended to ensure we are operating as effectively and efficiently as possible,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, Air Force Reserve chief. California would add 132 manning positions and Texas would gain one, while Georgia would lose 101 positions under this initiative, which is subject to Congressional scrutiny. The biggest changes would affect Air Force Reserve Command’s three numbered air forces: 4th Air Force at March ARB, Calif.; 10th AF at NAS JRB Fort Worth, Tex.; and 22nd AF at Dobbins ARB, Ga. The NAFs would lose their personnel, intelligence, communications, chaplain, history, public affairs, and medical directorates and would focus on readiness to ensure their subordinate units are trained and ready to deploy. AFRC also would inactivate its regional support groups at March, Fort Worth, and Dobbins. “The major command headquarters will provide support to the wings in functional areas no longer resident at the numbered air forces and regional support groups,” said Col. Greg Vitalis of AFRC headquarters. (Washington, D.C., report by Col. Bob Thompson)
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.