The first-ever command chief of Air Force Global Strike Command is moving on to a new leadership role with US Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany. CMSgt. Jack Johnson arrived at Global Strike Command headquarters at Barksdale AFB, La., in August 2009 and helped build the organization from scratch. He said he is proud of what its airmen have achieved in a little more than a year and a half. “While Global Strike Command was born out of a series of mistakes, the people in place today have stepped out of that shadow,” Johnson said. He added, “We’re moving forward and we’re not looking back.” Johnson will serve as AFRICOM’s senior enlisted leader. In that role, he’ll be the principal enlisted advisor to the head of the command. This will be Johnson’s fourth assignment as a command’s top enlisted leader. (Barksdale report by Megan Meyer)
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.