The US Air Force Academy has earned the maximum 10-year accreditation after undergoing a comprehensive and intense evaluation by an eight-member team of distinguished leaders in higher education from April 27-29. The evaluation group, a part of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, cited 16 points of commendation and only four concerns in disclosing the preliminary results of its visit. Its final report is expected at the end of the month. “This is like an institutional grand slam home run for us,” said Lt. Gen. John Regni, AFA superintendent. calling the 16 points “an unusually high number.” The academy has been accredited at the bachelor’s degree level by the NCA/HLC since 1959, each time at the maximum 10-year intervals. (Colorado Springs report by TSgt. Cortchie Welch)
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.