SMSgt. William Eaton and TSgt. Neil Newman, both explosive ordnance disposal technicians with the 39th Civil Engineer Squadron at Incirlik AB, Turkey, have received Bronze Star Medals for their meritorious service during deployments to Iraq. Eaton, a 24-year EOD veteran, received his award June 2 for the time he spent as superintendant of the EOD flight at Joint Base Balad, where he was in charge of 30 EOD technicians. “My biggest challenge was keeping them focused,” he said. He continued, “I was there to ensure they were doing what’s necessary to come home unharmed.” Newman, an EOD airman for 16 years, accepted his Bronze Star May 29 for his actions while deployed to Kirkuk Regional Air Base as the leader of a three-person EOD team. During this time, his EOD team dealt with many harrowing incidents in sweeping for roadside bombs on patrols, including improvised explosive devices exploding nearby. (Incirlik report by SSgt. Raymond Hoy)
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.