The 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon AFB, N.M., on June 26 held its first capabilities exercise at nearby Melrose Air Force Range. It was intended to give approximately 400 airmen from the base and their families a better understanding of wing operations. “A lot of our support personnel have never seen what it is that they are supporting,” said Capt. Paul Golando of Cannon’s 16th Special Operations Squadron. Plus, “It’s a cool opportunity to show [our] kids what we do every day,” added Maj. Mark Sudduth, the wing’s acting inspector general. Airmen and Army special forces participated in the exercise. Among the activities, an AC-130 gunship provided mock close air support and soldiers performed high-altitude, low-opening parachute jumps. The 27th SOW, Air Force Special Operations Command’s newest active-duty wing, was activated in October 2007. (Cannon report by MSgt. Carlotta Holley)
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.