About 50 airmen from Ramstein AB, Germany, have completed a week of off-site C-130 training with Polish military personnel at Powidz AB, Poland. Members of Ramstein’s 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Contingency Response Group conducted parachute jump training drills and related activities with airmen of the Polish air force’s 3rd AW and troops of the Polish Operational Mobile Reaction Group. The 86th AW operates C-130Js, while the 3rd AW flies refurbished ex-USAF C-130Es. Known as Operation Screaming Eagle, these activities were meant to strengthen bonds and build upon the partnership that the two C-130 units formalized in June when they became sister wings. “[The Polish airmen] were very friendly and eager to work with us,” said Capt. Ryan Miller, a Ramstein flight commander. The visit also allowed the Ramstein aircrews to meet their training requirements for night flying. (Powidz report by SSgt. Jocelyn Rich)
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.