The New Mexico Air National Guard’s 150th Fighter Wing briefed local lawmakers last week, according to an Eyewitness News 4 report, on its situation and pursuit of a new mission since the unit must give up its F-16s under USAF’s plan to shed some 250 legacy fighters next year. The Air Force plan, announced in the spring, caught New Mexico lawmakers by surprise, particularly since the service offered no mission replacement plan for the unit.
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.