The US Virgin Islands Air National Guard’s 285th Combat Communications Squadron is now the 285th Civil Engineering Squadron after a redesignation ceremony on St. Croix. Over the next two years, the squadron will convert to its new mission as a Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force, or Prime BEEF, unit. Squadron members will cross-train into new career fields and receive new equipment. “After two years, the unit must be ready to go to war, and is open for all Air National Guard and Air Force inspection cycles,” said Capt. John Hult, squadron commander. Col. Jeffrey Buckley, the Virgin Islands Air Guard chief of staff, said the unit in its new role will “make sure there is running water when called upon. They’ll build shelter where needed, and they’ll fix roads and runways when required.” The redesignation ceremony was on March 3. (St. Croix release)
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.