Discussion continues among the citizens of Great Falls, Mont., over whether to limit residential and commercial growth near Malmstrom AFB, Mont. Some fear interference with base operations—especially a potential return of a flying mission. (The base lost its KC-135s under BRAC 1995.) At an “often emotional” meeting of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, the chamber declined to side with those who want to preserve Malmstrom’s aviation capability or those who have an economic interest in the land, reports the Great Falls Tribune.
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.