Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne said Thursday that historical 8th Air Force of World War II bombing fame would lead the formation of a new Cyberspace Command—a new major command on a par with Air Combat Command and Air Force Space Command that will preserve “freedom of access and commerce” in cyberspace. Service leaders have been working toward this step for more than a year, explained Wynne in remarks before a Washington technology conference. Wynne called the 67th Network Warfare Wing, under 8th Air Force, “the center of mass for this startup activity.” In 2000, the Air Force added information operations to the mission of 8th Air Force, making it a dual function component under US Strategic Command, as provider of both IO and bomber forces. He added that 8th Air Force would retain its bomber mission.
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.