SMSgt. Harold Terrance, a cyber systems section chief with the 18th Communications Squadron at Kadena AB, Japan, is one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2015. Terrance directed a team of 112 personnel as they provided communications support for seven major commands, 22,000 personnel, and the $6 billion aircraft fleet for the largest combat wing in the Air Force. As the maintenance leader, he oversaw 16,000 upgrades, executed 190 maintenance inspections, and resolved 4,000 jobs with a remarkable 98 percent quality efficiency pass rating. Additionally, he implemented the Air Force’s first 24/7 software patching scheme. The proactive approach eliminated 113,000 vulnerabilities and delivered his network the Air Force’s best US Cyber Command readiness inspection score. Terrance led his unit to its second consecutive Air Force Best Large Communications Squadron of the Year Award and earned the 2014 Air Force’s Outstanding Cyber Operations SNCO of the Year. Air Force Magazine is shining the spotlight on each OAY in the days leading up to AFA’s Air & Space Conference, which starts Monday in National Harbor, Md. Also featured were: SrA. Allen Cherry, SrA. Meaghan Holley, SrA. Mason Meherg, SSgt. Kresston Davis, SSgt. Lindsey Fuentes, SSgt. Kurtis Harrison, SSgt. Travis Jordan, SSgt. Douglas Kechijian, TSgt. Tamara Acfalle, MSgt. Joseph Bogdan, and MSgt. Timothy Mason.
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.