Several press reports say Pentagon acquisition chief Ken Kreig has given the green light for the Air Force to re-engage its effort to find an aerial refueling aircraft replacement. The first step will be a formal request for information, which Pentagon spokeswoman Cheryl Irwin tells the Mobile Register should go out within the next few weeks to the two known competitors—Boeing and the Northrop Grumman-EADS team. (USAF had released an RFI last fall, only to have to call it back as “premature.”) Irwin indicated the Pentagon expects to take the next step, issuing a request for proposals, by early fall and could reach a decision in early 2007. Krieg is scheduled to hold a press briefing at the Pentagon late today.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
