Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, on Tuesday honored retired Maj. Gen. Johnny Alison, World War II fighter ace, Air Force special operations pioneer, and longtime airpower advocate, who turned 97 on Nov. 21. Alison, said Skelton during a House floor speech, is “a distinguished American, a dedicated public servant, and a true American hero” who “has spent his life fighting for our country.” Skelton continued: “Never wavering in his commitment to freedom and the ideals of our country, he sets a high standard for all Americans. I am proud to call him my friend, and I trust that my fellow members of the House will join me in recognizing this courageous and talented American.” (For more on Alison, one-time Air Force Association Chairman of the Board, read The All-American Airman and The Air Invasion of Burma from Air Force Magazine.)
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.