The 564th Missile Squadron at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., expected to deactivate the last of its 50 Minuteman III ICBMs this week or in early August, according to a July 27 report by the Great Falls Tribune. Once that is done, the Air Force will deactivate the squadron, leaving the 341st Missile Wing with three remaining ICBM operations squadrons and a total of 150 missiles. The 564th began deactivating its ICBMs last summer, after the Air Force gave formal word that Malmstrom was to divest itself of 50 missiles, under a reduction to a total ICBM force of 450 missiles mandated by the Quadrennial Defense Review. There is fresh concern that the next Administration may opt for additional cuts.
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.