In add
ition to combat search and rescue crews (see above), the Air Force contributed special tactics, airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and more to support joint military operations for Hurricane Ike and earlier storms. Air Force Reserve Command’s Hurricane Hunters from Keesler AFB, Miss., have flown non-stop missions, covering Ike, Hanna, and Gustav. (403rd Wing report by Maj. Chad Gibson) C-17 crews from Altus AFB, Okla., were among those providing airlift for relief equipment and supplies. (Altus photo release) Airmen from the training and medical wings at Lackland AFB, Tex., helped with patients airlifted out of harm’s way by C-130 aircrews from Little Rock AFB, Ark., and aeromed evac airmen from Scott AFB, Ill. (USAF photo release) In the midst of Ike, when a commercial freighter appeared in jeopardy, airmen from Hurlburt Field, Fla., flying CV-22s, an MC-130P and an MH-53 helicopter launched to assist; joining the Hurlburt force was an MC-130W deployed from Cannon AFB, N.M. (Hurlburt release) Tactical air control party airmen from Ft. Polk, La., and communications specialists from Robins AFB, Ga., served with CSAR forces in the 331st Air Expeditionary Group in San Antonio. (Air Force release) Airmen from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 125th Special Tactics Squadron deployed to Houston to provide command and control. (Houston release) Contingency Response Group airmen from McGuire AFB, N.J. and Travis AFB, Calif., established airfield operations at key sites in Texas to aid Air Mobility Command airlift. (AMC release by Mark Diamond) And the list goes on.
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.