President Bush on Sept. 30 signed into law H.R. 2638, an omnibus appropriations act for Fiscal 2009, that includes $488 billion for the Department of Defense. Included in its earmarks are $27 billion for Air Force research and development and roughly $19.4 billion for USAF to buy aircraft, missiles, and ammunition. There is also $16 billion for “other” USAF procurement, approximately $43.8 billion for operations and maintenance, and $29.2 billion for Air Force personnel. Bush has yet to sign the defense authorization bill, passed by the House on Sept. 24 and the Senate on Sept. 27.
Air Force Inks Deal for 22 More Boeing F-15EX Fighters
Sept. 29, 2026
The Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for 22 F-15EX Eagle II fighters on Sept. 29, narrowly meeting a deadline to use funds from last summer’s reconciliation bill or face cuts.