Representatives from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and Air Force Reserve Command’s 931st Air Refueling Group cut the ribbon on a renovated maintenance complex at McConnell AFB, Kan. The redesigned facility will house both active duty airmen and Reservists from the 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 931st AMXS, respectively, to support the base’s KC-135 tankers. The three-year, $5.7 million renovation added more than 5,000 square feet of floor space and moved maintainers closer to the flight line. The total complex now features more than 36,000 square feet of space and room for up to three KC-135s. The 931st ARG supports the 22nd ARW in operating and maintaining McConnell’s tankers. “This facility allows [us] to capitalize on that partnership and get the most from our collective resources,” said Col. William Mason, 931st ARG commander. The ribbon cutting was on Dec. 2. (McConnell report by SSgt. Brannen Parrish)
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.