The man responsible for overseeing the shutdown of operations at Karshi-Khanabad, Uzbekistan—CMSgt. Phillip Cherry—has received a Bronze Star for his efforts at K-2 and subsequent work at Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan. The senior NCO received his award earlier this month before leaving Manas, where he served as command chief for the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing. Cherry now is assigned as command chief at Tinker AFB, Okla.
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.



