Air Mobility Command officials Tuesday awarded $2.2 billion in airlift contracts for the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program, which lines up commercial airlines to supplement Air Force airlift, principally during emergencies. Awards went to Alliance Contractor Team, with an estimated $1.22 billion; Federal Express Team, $864 million; UPS Team, $121 million; Miami Air Team, $42 million and Continental Airlines, $11 million. Other contracts were awarded to Falcon Air Express, Grand Air Holdings, Lynden Air Cargo, MN Airlines, and Spirit Airlines for contracts between $2,000 and $254,000.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
