Air Mobility Command has identified Kalitta Charters of Michigan to fly military members’ remains from Dover AFB, Del., to their homes for burial, reports Stars and Stripes. AMC began seeking a private carrier following a complaint about handling of a casket by a commercial airline. AMC already has Kalitta under a $10 million contract for nonscheduled chartered passenger service. This new contract, according to the Stripes, is for up to $11 million and runs for six months from Jan. 1, while the Air Force works on a longer term contract.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.