Boeing officials said last week that the Air Force told the company to expect the draft request for proposals on the tanker replacement program later this month, followed by a final version in January 2007. USAF should name a winner in September 2007. Word is that the Air Force still is wrestling with whether it wants all one type of aircraft, or a mix of medium and large tankers, since the aircraft will perform the swing role of cargo aircraft.
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…
