Hundreds gathered at Eglin AFB, Fla., to pay homage to fallen explosive ordnance disposal technicians during the 43rd annual EOD memorial ceremony. Family members, friends, and colleagues watched as the names of five airmen, five marines, five soldiers, and three sailors who died in the line of duty in the past year while serving overseas were added to the EOD Memorial Wall during the solemn May 5 ceremony. The memorial wall now includes the names of 287 fallen EOD technicians, according to Eglin officials. “I am proud to bear witness today to the enormous respect that the men and women of our joint and coalition team have for EOD operators,” said Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz at the ceremony. “Your loved ones’ commitment to making the world a safer place inspires us all, and their sacrifice strengthens our lasting commitment to that enduring ideal,” he added. (Eglin report by Lois Walsh)
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.