The first commander in chief of US Space Command, retired Air Force Gen. Robert T. Herres, 75, died July 24 at his home in San Antonio after two-year fight against brain cancer, according to a July 26 Associated Press report (via Houston Chronicle). Herres retired from the Air Force in 1990, last serving as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He entered USAF in 1954 after graduating from the US Naval Academy and flew fighter-interceptors after completing pilot training. Among his numerous assignments, Herres led Air Force Communications Command and 8th Air Force and served as commander of Air Force Space Command and NORAD.
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.