MSgt. Todd Buit, a KC-135 boom operator from Fairchild AFB, Wash., surpassed 7,500 cumulative flight hours on a recent sortie from Fairchild—a mark few Active Duty airmen attain. Buit began his Stratotanker flying career 23 years ago at Griffiss AFB, N.Y., according to Fairchild’s Dec. 8 release. Since flying in Operation Desert Storm, Buit has deployed at least once in every major US conflict since, states the release. “I’d go another 23 years if they’d let me,” said Buit. “Honestly, I’ve just been doing my job,” he added. He serves as the 92nd Operations Group’s noncommissioned officer in charge of standards evaluation. His milestone flight on Nov 15 set a base record, according to the release. “It’s truly remarkable and a huge milestone for not only Master Sergeant Buit, but also for the operations group” and 92nd Air Refueling Wing, said 92nd OG Commander Col. Shawn Teagan. (Fairchild report by SrA. Benjamin Stratton)
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.