Spangdahlem AB, Germany, has garnered the coveted laurel as the Air Force’s top installation. Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on Tuesday announced that Spang is USAF’s recipient of the 2011 Commander in Chief’s Installation Excellence Award, which includes a $1 million prize for base officials to spend on quality-of-life improvements. “This victory is the validation of our Saber ethos. I am proud to be a part of this installation and I know this award is truly deserved,” said 52nd Fighter Wing Commander Col. Christopher Weggman. The award salutes those who operate and maintain Defense Department installations and “effectively use their resources to support the mission.” Spang and Travis AFB, Calif., were the Air Force’s finalists. JB Elmendorf, Alaska, was USAF’s 2010 winner. Each year, DOD recognizes one installation from each service and one logistics center. (Spangdahlem report by SSgt. Kali Gradishar)
It’s hard to know why the F-35 Block 4 upgrade's cost—now $16.5 billion and rising—is going up because it is mixed with the rest of the program, the Government Accountability Office said in a new report.