Brig. Gen. Stephen Wilson assumed command of 8th Air Force at Barksdale AFB, La., the organization under Air Force Global Strike Command that controls the nation’s nuclear-capable B-2 and B-52 bombers. He succeeded Maj. Gen. Floyd Carpenter, who led 8th AF since June 2009 and is retiring, effective August 1. “I can’t even begin to tell you how thrilled and honored I am to stand here before you,” said Wilson at the June 3 change-of-command ceremony. “Since its inception 1942, there is no more legendary or storied numbered air force in our history.” Wilson, whom President Obama has nominated to receive a second star, also became commander of US Strategic Command’s Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike. Wilson’s most recent a position was as director of joint integration on the Air Staff. (Barksdale report by SSgt. Brian Stives)
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.