The leaders of the Senate Tanker Caucus expressed dismay at Northrop Grumman’s threatened pull out from the KC-X tanker competition, but they believe the Air Force should press on. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), co-chairmen of the caucus, said in a statement: “Though competition would likely improve the final product, we have experienced far too many delays in this process already. … We believe the Air Force should proceed with its process, even if one company decides not to submit a proposal.” The latest word from Defense Secretary Robert Gates was that the Pentagon would “make a judgment” about changes after considering all comments on the KC-X draft request for proposals. There are varying views as to whether Northrop’s pull out threat is simply posturing or the real deal.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
