The 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., has transferred 53.32 acres of land to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority for commercial use and development by the local Douglas school system. The transfer, which took place April 29, is the first time the base has given land back to the community. It “is not only a historic occasion, but it a serves to build stronger ties with our neighbors,” said Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28th BW commander. “We are very pleased to return this powerful asset to the community.” Base officials acquired the land in 1957 for the construction of the Wherry Military Family Housing area. The Wherry homes became obsolete with the subsequent construction of military housing units on base. The Wherry homes were torn down in the early 1990s, making the land available. (Ellsworth report by SrA. Jarad Denton)
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.