One US service member was killed and another was injured when an improvised explosive device exploded and hit their patrol in Lashkar Gar, Afghanistan, on Tuesday. Six more Afghan soldiers were wounded in the attack, according to a NATO Resolute Support Mission news release. The service member was conducting train, advise, assist activities with Afghan counterparts in Helmand Province when their patrol was hit, the release states. The US Defense Department will release the name of the service member pending next-of-kin notification. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a statement that the “tragic event in Helmand province reminds us that Afghanistan remains a dangerous place, and there is difficult work ahead.”
Boeing’s receipt of the 10th lot contract award for the KC-46 Pegasus this week leaves just three lots left to complete the Air Force’s buy of the tanker, although a further buy of 75 additional aircraft as a “bridge” to the Next-Generation Aerial-refueling System (NGAS) seems increasingly likely.