The Senate confirmed the nomination of Adm. Cecil Haney to lead US Strategic Command, succeeding Gen. Robert Kehler, who has overseen the combatant command since January 2011. The Senate action came on Aug. 1, according to the body’s list of non-civilian confirmations. Haney has commanded the US Pacific Fleet since January 2012. (For coverage of Haney’s July 30 confirmation hearing, read Haney: No to Flying Solo Beyond New START.)
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.