The Air Force is formulating its position on the proposed transfer of 12 C-130s from Air National Guard units to the active duty formal training unit at Little Rock AFB, Ark., Maj. Gen. Johnny Weida, assistant operations, plans, and requirements boss on the Air Staff, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s airland panel Tuesday. “Within a week or so, we’ll have an Air Force position on where to go forward with that,” Weida said in response to questioning from Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.). She expressed concern over the plan, contending that it was not developed in conjunction with the adjutants general or governors of the relevant states. Plus, she noted, “North Carolina is obviously one of the states that is affected.” Weida responded that the Air Force is “taking that issue very seriously.” He added, “We’ll give you a specific answer on this issue.” (Shackelford-Weida prepared remarks)
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.