Capt. Shannon Cummins of Tinker AFB, Okla., and MSgt. Benjamin Kunde of Dyess AFB, Tex., have received Bronze Star Medals for their meritorious service in Southwest Asia. Cummins, leader of the base-level systems flight within Tinker’s 3rd Combat Communications Group, received the medal during a ceremony July 31. He was recognized for his work with a joint task force where he was responsible for planning, managing, and ensuring effective communications during sustained combat operations. Kunde, first sergeant of Dyess’ 7th Munitions Squadron, was presented his Bronze Star on Aug. 3 for his actions while serving at Camp Bucca, Iraq, in 2006. He was credited for his role in defending the camp—then the largest detainee internment facility in Iraq—from external attack. (Tinker photo caption by Micah Garbarino and Dyess report by A1C Robert Hicks)
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.