The Air Force’s new cyber operations arm, 24th Air Force, has reached the milestone known as full operational capability, Air Force Space Command announced Friday. This means that the new numbered air force, headquartered at Lackland AFB, Tex., has matured into an organization able to meet its full breadth of responsibilities. “Declaration of FOC means 24th Air Force is now a full operational partner on the joint cyber team,” said Gen. Robert Kehler, AFSPC boss, who made the FOC declaration. He added, “Cyberspace is critical to today’s joint military operations and 24th Air Force is proud to be the Air Force’s component to US Cyber Command.” USAF activated 24th AF in August 2009. It combines the service’s information operations, network warfare, and combat communications functions under one roof. “We’re proud of this significant milestone,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Webber, 24th AF commander. (Peterson release)
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.