The chapel at Balad AB, Iraq, has named its new Airmen Ministry Center “Troy’s Place,” after F-16 pilot Maj. Troy Gilbert killed in a crash in Iraq last year. The project was the inspiration of chaplain assistant SSgt. Brian Marts and carried through largely by the Company Grade Officers Council at Balad. Volunteers helped create the center in their spare time, reports MSgt. Bryan Ripple.
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.