Keesler AFB, Miss., and JBSA-Lackland, Tex., are the candidate locations to host the Air Force’s tactical air control party and air liaison officer training, announced service officials in a release May 15. The Air Force is looking to relocate this training from Hurlburt Field, Fla., since the high demand for tactical air control in theater has outpaced the capacity of the TACP/ALO schoolhouse there. As a result, “these candidate bases will be analyzed to determine which location will best host this mission,” said Air Force installations chief Kathleen Ferguson. The service leadership has given Air Education and Training Command the nod to begin site surveys at Keesler and San Antonio-Lackland, according to the release. Based on AETC’s feedback, the leadership is expected to select the preferred base this summer. The final decision will come after service officials have analyzed the potential environmental impacts, states the release.
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.