Airmen voted the Air Force the 18th best place to work in the federal government in 2011. The rating is based on the Partnership for Public Service’s survey of 33 large federal agencies. The nonpartisan, nonprofit organization says its ratings are “the most comprehensive and authoritative” gauge of “employee satisfaction and commitment in the federal government.” Like the Air Force, the other services finished in the middle of the pack, with the Navy ending up in 15th place and the Army taking the 16th spot. First among the 33 large agencies was the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Coming in last was the National Archives and Records Administration. The survey measured factors including: effective leadership; performance-based rewards and advancement; training and development; pay; family friendly culture and benefits; support for diversity; and work-life balance.
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.