Explosive ordinance disposal airmen at McConnell AFB, Kan., last month broke from daily operations to focus on mitigating the risks of their hazardous work. “The purpose of our annual safety day is to take a strategic pause in our operations to prevent future loss of life and limb,” stated Capt. Dustin Koslowsky, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron EOD flight commander. Since 2005, the Air Force has lost 14 EOD technicians in the line of duty; more than 70 have received one or more Purple Hearts, according to McConnell officials. Along with a focus on safety and best practices, the airmen received reminders during safety day to care for comrades and use aids such as the chaplaincy and family advocacy to work through post-deployment strain. “EOD airmen make a great number of sacrifices and some have given the ultimate sacrifice,” said Koslowsky. (McConnell report by A1C Armando A. Schwier-Morales)
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.