A tactical air control party airman with the Air National Guard’s 148th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., SSgt. John C. Norris is one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2011. Norris served as a TACP member on three deployments before leaving active duty to enroll full-time in college and join the Air Guard. Before a recent deployment to Afghanistan, he created realistic training scenarios that increased TACP situational awareness and response times and successfully indoctrinated inexperienced airmen for combat operations. On deployment, he charged into enemy fire, rescuing two wounded soldiers, and then directed lethal fire from two Apache helicopters while ordering evacuation of the wounded. His Army commander has nominated him for a Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device. He also controlled 120 close air support strikes and conducted more than 100 combat patrols, receiving the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device. Norris’ home of record is Oklahoma City. He represents the ANG among this year’s outstanding airmen. The Daily Report is shining the spotlight on each OAY. Also featured to date: SrA. Nora L. Limjoco, SrA. Daniel T. Skidmore, SrA. Ulla B. Stromberg, and SrA. Raven S. Taylor.
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.