The Strategic Airlift Capability fleet at Papa AB, Hungary, has exceeded 1,000 missions. In Boeing’s five years of support, it has achieved a 94 percent mission-capable rate on the C-17 Globemaster IIIs, states a Sept. 3 release. Ten NATO countries, as well as Finland and Sweden operate the SAC fleet of three C-17s, which is part of the consortium’s Heavy Airlift Wing. “The Boeing team has been an important member of the SAC family from the start and contributes invaluably to the HAW flying safe missions for the nations,” said airlift commander Royal Netherlands Air Force Col. Frank Rombouts. Boeing uses “a comprehensive performance-based logistics program” to provide maintenance, engineering, and spares, states the release. The company has more than 60 people supporting the consortium. (See Papa Knows Best.)
The Air Force budget would grow to $234 billion while Space Force spending would shrink to $26 billion under the White House's yearly ask.