This year’s Vigilant Shield is planned for Oct. 15-20, according to a release from US Northern Command. Like the 2007 version, it will take place in various states in cooperation with Homeland Security. It will also involve several partner nations, including Australia, Canada, and Britain, and will include Guam. The exercises are intended to test response abilities against a variety of potential threats.
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.



