The Czech Republic’s defense minister and air force chief led a Czech delegation that met with Air Force Global Strike Command officials last week at Barksdale AFB, La., to discuss bilateral cooperation. “Joint efforts are built upon a level of trust and friendship developed in part through visits and exchanges just like the one happening today,” said AFGSC Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Everett Thomas in Barksdale’s release on Nov. 21, the same day as the delegation’s call on the command’s headquarters. Thomas highlighted US-Czech military cooperation over the years in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, noting that “the friendship between the two nations is a strong one.” This year, B-52s from Barksdale’s 307th Bomb Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit, flew to the Czech Republic for NATO’s Ramstein Rover close-air-support exercise, said Thomas. Barksdale B-52s have also appeared at the Czech air force open house in Ostrava. The Czech delegation presented a photo exhibit from the open house to Barksdale’s Global Power Museum. (Barksdale report by Kate Blais)
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.