New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has authorized the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing to begin “limited” operations on the Warren Grove Gunnery Range, beginning Oct. 1, according to an Aug. 15 release from the governor’s office. Earlier this month, Sen. Frank LoBiondo (R) sent Corzine a letter, complaining that the wing was still not permitted to use the range a year after a widespread fire caused by an F-16 training flare. Initially, Corzine has limited the range use to the 177th FW, so the unit can verify its new safety procedures. Following that validation, he will authorize use of the range, after Nov. 1, to other units. However, Corzine said, “The resumption of operations will be predicated on the thorough education of all units” on the new rules, and he wants an independent inspection to “ascertain continue adherence to the [new] protocol.” That inspection is to take place by July 1, 2009, and would be followed by another before January 2010. After that, Corzine wants inspections done every six months or annually depending on the findings of the first two.
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.