The Army’s I-Corps Air and Missile Defense Detachment at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., now shares quarters with USAF’s 5th Air Support Operations Squadron, part of the 1st Air Support Operations Group under Pacific Air Forces. This marks the first time such an integration has been undertaken by a Corps-level AMD detachment at its home station. Airmen and soldiers of both units had deployed together to Iraq. Air Force Col. Rob Evans, 1st ASOG commander and I Corps air liaison officer, said, “It was critical that we joined forces to better train and prepare our deploying tactical air control parties [USAF] and brigade combat teams [Army], leveraging the experience these soldiers and airmen gained while working together in Iraq.” Army Brig. Gen. Heidi Brown, I-Corps deputy commanding general for sustainment, on a visit to the units, expressed “excitement about the unlimited potential and possibilities” with this joint teaming. (I-Corps report by Spc. Jason Mayes)
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.