Thirteen journalists who write for blogs and other social media Web sites have seen up-close and personal how Pacific Air Forces’ C-17s conduct airdrop operations. Members of the 525th Airlift Squadron from JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, took these reporters aboard two of the units C-17s during a training mission held in and around Hawaii as part of the ongoing Rim of the Pacific exercise. “We’re excited to build and develop new relationships with additional people to help tell the Air Force story,” said Lt. Col. Maria Carl, PACAF director of public affairs, when discussing the July 16 social media event. She said PACAF’s vast geographic area of responsibility has caused command officials to be “a bit more innovative about how we deliver our messages.” (Pearl Harbor-Hickam report by TSgt. Matthew McGovern)
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.