MSgt. David L. Poirier, 52, of North Smithfield, R.I., died on Feb. 28 in a non-combat-related incident while deployed supporting US military operations in Afghanistan, announced the Pentagon on Monday. The cause of his death is under investigation, states the release. Poirier was a member of the New Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157th Operations Support Squadron at Pease ANGB, N.H. San Diego’s KPBS public broadcasting station reported that Poirier had arrived at al Udeid AB, Qatar, the day prior to his death.
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.