Changes to the Air Force’s special-duty program taking effect on Oct. 1 will require airmen to receive a nomination and go through a vetting process, announced Air Combat Command officials. Under the new procedures, commanders and those in leadership roles will recommend top-performing airmen for positions previously filled on a volunteer basis, such as military training instructors, airman and family readiness noncommissioned officers, and enlisted accessions recruiters, states ACC’s Sept. 5 release. “The Air Force is looking for the best-qualified airmen who have qualities of a leader and will be able to prosper in these positions,” said CMSgt. Michael Helfer, chief enlisted manager for manpower, personnel, and services. Airmen nominated for these special-duty positions will still have to meet basic eligibility requirements and specific criteria for the position, states the release. The Air Force will still take qualified volunteers, in some cases, if there are vacancies to fill. (Langley report by SSgt. Candice C. Page)
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.