For the first time in its 54-year history, the Air Force Recruiting School at Lackland AFB, Tex., has graduated an international student. On June 13, Royal Saudi Air Force 1st Lt. Hamad Al-Shammari received a diploma for having successfully completed the school’s seven-week recruiting course. He was also presented with the distinguished graduate award for having the highest academic scores of his 11-member class. In the past, international students have participated in the course, but only as observers. Al-Shammari will recruit both military and civilians for the RSAF back in Saudi Arabia. (Lackland report by James Coburn)
The F-35 Joint Program Office has officially announced plans to issue multiple sole-source contracts to Pratt & Whitney to upgrade the fighter’s F135 engine—a widely expected move after Pentagon officials indicated they would do so earlier this year instead of developing an entirely new engine.