US Air Force C-130 and Singapore Air Force CH-47 airlift crews participating in the current Red Flag at Nellis AFB, Nev., brought their list of training requirements to the traditional fighter shootout, each checking off an item when they airdropped USAF airmen and other military members over Lake Mead in Nevada. Many of the jumpers—predominantly from USAF rescue, combat controller, and RED HORSE units—used the occasion to update their jump currencies. A USAF release noted that the SAF helicopter pilots are undergoing upgrade training with a Texas Air National Guard unit.
Boeing’s receipt of the 10th lot contract award for the KC-46 Pegasus this week leaves just three lots left to complete the Air Force’s buy of the tanker, although a further buy of 75 additional aircraft as a “bridge” to the Next-Generation Aerial-refueling System (NGAS) seems increasingly likely.