A local council has approved RAF Upper Heyford in Britain—still possibly the best preserved Cold War base on the island nation—for redevelopment. Once among USAF’s largest bases in Europe, the Air Force shuttered the installation in December 1993. Since its closure, it has lain largely dormant as the Cherwill District Council and developers engaged in a protracted battle over its future. That changed last week with the council’s approval of 1,075 homes (including 311 original base houses that will remain) as well as a school, pub, shops, and business space for the land, reports the Oxford Mail. Developers will also build a heritage center and preserve the base’s former command center. Upper Heyford was the long-time home of the 20th Fighter Wing that operated EF-111s and F-111s at the base. Earlier this year, an attempt failed to secure Upper Heyford’s recognition as a UN world heritage site.
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.
