A team of Air Force Space Command-led inspectors deemed 24th Air Force, the service’s new cyber operations arm, “ready” after an initial assessment in December of its ability to conduct Air Force network operations and control USAF’s network. This score is an important milestone as the new numbered air force, which is headquartered at Lackland AFB, Tex., advances towards being cleared to assume initial operations. “While this is great news for the entire 24th Air Force team, they know this is just another key step on the path to operational readiness,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Webber, 24th AF boss. This initial operational capability assessment occurred on Dec. 22. Webber said this test was the first of many that 24th AF operators and support staff will undergo in the next year. (Lackland 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.