Air Force Reserve Command is restructuring its three numbered air forces by functional area by shifting four flying wings, one flying group, and seven smaller units by Oct. 1. “The realignments give each NAF a distinct mission set, enabling them to more efficiently and effectively oversee the readiness of their subordinate units,” said Col. Greg Vitalis, AFRC headquarters program manager at Robins AFB, Ga. “These realignments are administrative only. They do not involve any changes to the units’ geographic location,” added Vitalis. These shifts are the largest changes under a raft of rationalization measures that AFRC officials announced earlier this month. Going forward, 4th Air Force at March ARB, Calif., will ensure the readiness of the command’s strategic air mobility and refueling forces; 10th AF at NAS JRB Fort Worth, Tex., will manage its strike, ISR, space, cyber, and special operations assets; and 22nd AF at Dobbins ARB, Ga., will oversee AFRC’s tactical airlift, combat support, and training. (SAF/PA release, including list of units shifting)
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.