The Pentagon’s Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity is working “closely” with each of the services to develop a Defense Department-wide strategic plan for diversity as directed by the White House, announced Clifford Stanley, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. The decision falls on the heels of President Obama’s Aug. 18 executive order calling for a government-wide initiative to promote diversity in the federal workplace. “Diversity is the tapestry and the strength of our great nation and we are ready to take steps to accomplish the President’s challenge,” said Stanley. Navy Capt. Ken Barrett, acting deputy director of DOD’s diversity office, said diversity goes beyond just race and ethnicity. He suggested it also could apply to things such as language skills, regional expertise, and cultural expertise. “Diversity is our strength. It’s a strategic imperative for us, and it’s a readiness issue,” Barrett said. (AFPS report by Lisa Daniel)
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.