The Air Force will operate 24/7 (i.e., around-the-clock), unsupervised fitness centers at six installations on a test basis starting early next year to gauge the long-term viability of the concept, announced Air Force Personnel Center officials. This test is part of the broader initiative to bolster the morale, welfare, and recreation programs and services for airmen and their families, according to AFPC’s Dec. 18 release. The six test installations are: JB Andrews, Md.; Fairchild AFB, Wash.; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; Scott AFB, Ill.; and Tinker AFB, Okla. “Fitness centers are critical to airman fitness and resiliency, but most centers have fixed hours, unlike the Air Force, which has a 24/7 mission,” said Capt. Matthew Dunn, AFPC deputy chief for services transformation. The Air Force is installing after-hours entry and surveillance systems at the participating fitness centers and expects to have them all ready by the end of January, states the release. “Test guidelines are clear and focused on airman security and safety,” said Dunn. (San Antonio report by Debbie Gildea)
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.