Storm Misses Lajes: US Air Force elements at Lajes Field, Azores, in the Atlantic Ocean battened down in the face of Hurricane Gordon, but the Category 1 storm with winds expected to reach 70 mph packed less than half the punch of Tropical Storm Ioke that hit Wake Island in the Pacific. In fact, the Lajes airmen say this type of wind is normal for winters in the Azores. In the end, Gordon weakened and changed course, leaving Lajes untouched.
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.
