Air Force Global Strike Command, charged to oversee USAF’s nuclear forces, plans to expand “Bomb Comp,” the newly revitalized bomber competition held by Eighth Air Force, into a broader test of readiness and skill across all of the service’s nuclear wings, including the Minuteman III missile forces. The Shreveport Times reported Dec. 27 that Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, AFGSC boss, soon will appoint a project officer to plan the new event, which likely will get a new name, too. But, as the newspaper reported, don’t expect to see the new competition until after Global Strike Command has completed its full standup by late 2010. On Dec. 1 AFGSC assumed responsibility for the Minuteman IIIs. Come February, it will take control of 8th AF, which manages the service’s nuclear-capable B-2A and B-52H bombers. Both Global Strike Command and 8th AF are headquartered at Barksdale AFB, La.
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.