Seven of the legendary Doolittle Raiders joined hundreds of spectators May 31 on the grounds of Eglin AFB, Fla., to witness three B-25 bombers reenact the training missions that they flew at Eglin’s Duke Field in preparation for their daring attack on Tokyo in April 1942. The event was one of many activities in which the seven men participated during the Doolittle Raiders homecoming celebration May 28-31 that raised funds for a new Fisher House being built at Eglin. “It is great to be back here under these circumstances,” said retired Maj. Thomas Griffin, a then-lieutenant navigator on one of the Doolittle bombers. “We received some great training out here. It really brings back memories to see this place.” The other raiders attending were (all retired, with highest ranks given): Maj. Gen. Davy Jones, Col. William Bower, Lt. Col Robert Cole, Lt. Col. Robert Hite, MSgt. Ed Horton and SSgt. David Thatcher. (Eglin report by SSgt. Jeremy Larlee)
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.