A Laughlin AFB, Tex., logistics unit reached a milestone 19 years in the making last month when it completed its one-millionth aircraft refueling. Robert Rodriguez topped off a T-38 Talon Aug. 25, reaching the historic mark for the 47th Logistics Readiness Division’s Fuels Management Flight. “Some bases that have large-frame aircraft may never do a million servicings,” said Jerry Holt, 47th LRD terminal manager. “We’re annually in the top three in number of aircraft servicings in the entire Air Force.” The Laughlin team fuels between 48,000 and 64,000 aircraft a year, according to base officials. (Laughlin release by A1C Blake Mize)
The F-35 Joint Program Office has officially announced plans to issue multiple sole-source contracts to Pratt & Whitney to upgrade the fighter’s F135 engine—a widely expected move after Pentagon officials indicated they would do so earlier this year instead of developing an entirely new engine.