US foreign military sales exceeded $30 billion for the fourth consecutive year in Fiscal 2011, announced the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees the Pentagon’s transfer of military equipment to allies and friends. In total, DSCA recorded $34.8 billion in total equipment sales last fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30. The bulk of that, or $28.3 billion, occurred under the government-to-government FMS program. The top three FMS customers were: Afghanistan ($5.4 billion), Taiwan ($4.9 billion), and India ($4.5 billion), according to the agency. Rounding out the top 10 were Australia ($3.9 billion), Saudi Arabia ($3.5 billion), Iraq ($2.0 billion), United Arab Emirates ($1.5 billion), Israel ($1.4 billion), Japan ($0.5 billion), and Sweden ($0.5 billion). DSCA forecasts that FMS sales will be around $30 billion in Fiscal 2012.
One Airman was killed and three others injured in a vehicle mishap at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., on June 29. Additionally, two first responder Airmen sustained injuries responding to the incident. All five injured Airmen have been transported to nearby medical facilities, according to a release from the base.