We reported in Wednesday’s Daily Report column that the Air Force plans to recapitalize its aerial tanker fleet in three steps, labeled KC-X, KC-Y, and KC-Z. Previously, service officials have said the KC-X and KC-Y acquisition programs were meant to replace the KC-135 fleet and the KC-Z procurement would replace the KC-10 fleet. However, an Air Force spokesman said on Oct. 30 the service has modified this approach. “The strategy for KC-135 recapitalization is a three-increment approach [KC-X, KC-Y, and KC-Z]. Where the KC-10 may fit in this recapitalization has not yet been determined,” said the spokesman. Worth noting: senior Air Force officials—including Air Mobility Command chief Gen. Paul Selva—have said recently divesting the KC-10 fleet might be among the “vertical cuts” the Air Force would consider if it must manage to budget-sequester-level spending levels or less.
The Air National Guardsman who was arrested last year for sharing hundreds of top secret and classified documents to online chatrooms was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Nov. 12 after pleading guilty to several charges this March.