US Air Forces in Europe is continuing to revamp Spangdahlem AB, Germany, part of an effort that included absorbing some of the airlift activity from the former Rhein-Main. Scott Schonauer of Stars and Stripes reports that the portion of the old base’s makeover that includes housing, a new exchange, commissary, schools, fitness center, clinic, air traffic control tower, and more, will cost about $250 million. The base already has begun tearing down old housing. And, it opened a new transportation training center there earlier this year. Gen. Tom Hobbins, head of USAFE, says the command plans to consolidate isolated units at bigger facilities such as Spang.
The Air Force announced Aug. 13 it recently tested prototypes for a portable ground station for commanding and controlling semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft, and a spokesperson now says the plan is to award a contract for the effort next summer.
