US Air Force pilots stationed in South Korea have sent letters to the Pentagon to protest the lack of aerial training ranges in South Korea, according to the Korea Times. US Forces Korea in August shut down the Koon-Ni Range, which was a short flying time from Osan Air Base, after more than 50 years in operation. USAF had been subject to complaints and lawsuits from villagers near the range for several years, before US and South Korean officials in 2003 decided to turn control over to Seoul by August 2005. In return, Seoul was to provide USAF access to another range. According to the Times, South Korean officials have met stiff resistance from residents in other likely areas.
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
