The Air Force’s emergency experts deployed to Tyndall AFB, Fla., to help coordinate Air Force response to Hurricane Wilma. Known as Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers, the cadre of experts provides command and control capabilities for any Air Force relief efforts in the days ahead. The EPLOs provide Air Force support—airmen, equipment, and supplies—to FEMA and state and local officials. During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the service deployed 67 EPLOs to 18 local state and federal agencies.
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.
