The 
Air Force is looking to the virtual world to recruit and train new airmen. Officials in the innovations and integration division at Air University at Maxwell AFB, Ala., have created several prototype virtual learning communities in Second Life—an online world launched in 2003 by San Francisco-based Linden Lab. One is MyBase, a virtual Air Force base. Through an online personality, or avatar, users can learn what it’s like to go through basic training, to become a pilot or chaplain, or to be part of a medical team. The idea is to create an immersive experience where people can experience life in the Air Force. Among the features within MyBase is a training game called “Operation Relief Worker Rescue Challenge” to teach Air Force Academy cadets about leadership by having them interact with others to rescue hostages. (AFPS release by Cheryl Pellerin)
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.