The Air Force reportedly is going to delay making a decision in the KC-X tanker replacement program until the end of February. Service officials had been shooting for a contract award at the end of this year, but just last month word came that it might be January. Now, staffers for Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) have told WKRG in Mobile that the decision won’t come until Feb. 29. Just last week five governors banned together to urge President Bush to consider the beneficial effect a tanker production facility in Mobile would have on the Katrina-strapped region.
Congress is making moves to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, but lawmakers have only a few days left to clear the procedural hurdles necessary to ensure troops get paid Nov. 14. The issue is particularly pressing for tens of thousands of uniformed personnel in the Air National…


