The space shuttle contingency recovery team at Edwards AFB, Calif., conducted a “picture perfect” recovery of Endeavor on Nov. 30, according to Reserve Brig. Gen. Jim Hogue, individual mobilization augmentee to the Air Force Flight Test Center commander, who oversees the team. • And, speaking of Edwards, the AFFTC museum has just received the diaries of the base’s namesake, Capt. Glen Edwards, who died in December 1949 while co-piloting the YB-49, a flying wing prototype. • Vandenberg AFB, Calif., has received the California Space Authority’s National Security Space Award as a tribute to the base’s 50 years in the defense of the nation, conducting space launch and missile defense operations. • The Air Traffic Control Association has presented Air Mobility Command’s Terminal Instrument Procedures team with its Earl F. Ward Memorial Award, which recognizes the air traffic control group that has done most to contribute to ATC quality, safety, or efficiency in the past year.
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.