The last two C-145As assigned to the 318th Special Operations Squadron at Cannon AFB, N.M., flew to their new home with the 6th SOS at Duke Field, Fla., announced Cannon officials. The special operations transports left Cannon for good on March 28, according to Cannon’s April 1 release. “A handful of C-145 personnel have already relocated to Duke Field after being selected to join the 6th SOS,” said Capt. Scott Whitmore, 318th SOS executive officer. He added, “Our crew members are sad to see these planes go, but with that comes an eagerness to see what new opportunities will be available.” The 318th SOS will continue operating PC-12 special-mission aircraft, according to the release. The unit deployed with the C-145 for the first time in March 2011—to Afghanistan—and later supported US special operations forces in Africa, states the release. (Cannon report by SrA. Alexxis Pons Abascal) (See also Combat Aviation Advisory Unit Relocates.)
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.