The Sun News reports that Air Force and Boeing officials gathered Tuesday for a ceremony to recognize that the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Georgia had completed depot maintenance on 200 C-17 airlifters. USAF first fielded the newest of its strategic airlifters in 1993. As the newspaper noted, Congress appropriated funds to bring the total number of C-17s to 223 over Pentagon objections. The new Air Force budget once again calls for a halt to C-17 production.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.