According to an Associated Press report, the airmen of the 319th Communications Squadron at Grand Forks AFB, N.D., cut a ceremonial ribbon Oct. 8 for their new mission—alternate control station for the Air Force’s High Frequency Global Communication System. The system provides communications support for the White House and DOD agencies, US embassies, and military aircraft and ships. The primary system is located at Andrews AFB, Md.
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.