A branch of the American Federation of Government Employees union at Davis-Monthan AFB, Mont., has challenged bans the base has placed on the use of handheld cell phones. In addition to imposing a DOD-wide ban on the use of cell phone while driving on military facilities, the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis-Monthan extended the ban to cover: while conducting aircraft maintenance and while in a production area where maintenance is in progress or where flammables are present. The AMARC rule also says cell phones must be stored in lockers when not in use. The union wants bargaining rights.
The Air Force on March 12 awarded contract modifications worth a combined $2.4 billion to Boeing to procure an undisclosed number of E-7 Wedgetail as part of the program's engineering and manufacturing development phase and continue work on the airborne battle management aircraft’s radar.