Thirty-one chief master sergeants-select from across Air Force Global Strike Command gathered at Barksdale AFB, La., for a four-day orientation course meant to give them the tools to lead their enlisted airmen effectively. This orientation, which took place in late January, replaces the Chiefs Leadership Course once taught at Maxwell AFB, Ala., according to a Feb. 1 Barksdale release. “It is important we teach them about our [major command] because we have certain expectations of our chiefs,” said CMSgt. Brian Hornback, AFGSC command chief. “It has been a great opportunity to be here with peers and with chiefs who have a lot of experience,” said SMSgt. Ray Lapham, Barksdale’s 2nd Maintenance Group weapons manager, who was one of the attending chiefs-select. “I’ve learned about our roles for AFGSC and what it takes to make what you do a little bit better for the lives of your people both professionally and personally,” he added. (Barksdale report by A1C Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)
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.