The head of US Strategic Command, Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, has declared that nuclear deterrence is his command’s No. 1 priority, despite the importance of STRATCOM’s other “main lines of operations”: space operations and cyberspace operations. Following recent nuclear enterprise missteps, Chilton said he believes the services are “taking all necessary measures to correct the accountability and day-to-day management issues.” However, within STRATCOM, he has created a new one-star position, the deputy director for nuclear operations, and also established a Nuclear Enterprise Council and Board with general officer-level oversight. He said: “We have to be perfect” in the nuclear mission. … I think, perhaps, in the past 15 years we have lost track of the fact that readiness is a mission. Deterrence is a mission. And, the highest calling anyone wearing a military uniform has is not to fight our country’s wars, but to prevent those wars from starting.” (Offutt AFB, Neb., report by MSgt Ben Gonzales)
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.