Tensions on the Korean peninsula have not prompted any significant changes in the Air Force’s Pacific posture, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh reported Monday at a Pentagon press conference. Welsh noted that three B-2 bombers deployed to Guam for a “scheduled rotation” to Andersen Air Force Base and that this would be in addition to the usual bomber presence missions there. USAF forces also remain “ready” in South Korea, but have not been put on an especially high alert, Welsh reported. “Nothing additional” is being moved in response to the situation in Korea, he said.
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.
