Retired CMSgt. Walter H. Richardson, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen of World War II fame, was recognized for his service with the group during a ceremony earlier this month in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Congress in 2006 awarded the World War II-era Tuskegee Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal (actual presentation in March 2007). Back on March 25, Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) honored Richardson in remarks on the House floor, saying: “Walt has spent his life dedicated to his country, his community, and his family.” Miller noted Richardson’s training at Tuskegee Army Airfield “in a variety of disciplines” and 30 years of service “through many of our nation’s wars and conflicts” that ended with his retirement at the highest enlisted rank. (Also see Northwest Florida Daily News report)
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.