The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has designated Hanscom AFB, Mass., as a Voluntary Protection Program Star certified site. It is the first such certification for an active duty Air Force installation. (The Minnesota Air National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing received an OSHA VPP Star in 2008.) OSHA inspectors reviewed Hanscom’s program in May, including site visits and discussions with employees. “The commitment on behalf of management and employees to VPP was outstanding,” said Bob Sands, OSHA’s Region 1 VPP manager. (Hanscom report by Rhonda Siciliano)
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.