The US House passed a resolution recognizing USAF aeromedical evacuation personnel and aircrews who help wounded troops “make the expeditious and safe trip home to the United States.” H. Res. 1605 also commends these airmen “for their commitment to the well-being of all our service men and women.” Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) introduced the measure, which was adopted by members Tuesday by voice vote. The resolution states that aeromedical evacuation flights have transported more than 81,000 patients since 9/11, including almost 14,000 battle-injured soldiers. Wounded troops from Afghanistan or Iraq arrive at hospitals in the US within three days on average—seven days faster than during Operation Desert Storm, and 40 faster than during the Vietnam War. Because of these efforts, wounded personnel now have a 98 percent survival rate, the lowest mortality rate of any war in US history, it notes. (H. Res. 1605 full text)
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.