USAF Pulls Tanker RFI

Sept. 2, 2005

At last word, the tanker analysis of alternatives is still under review, but the Air Force went ahead and issued a request for information last Friday from companies that might want to participate in a tanker competition. Leading Air Force critic, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, reacted quickly, sending a letter of complaint to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Wednesday. The Air Force has withdrawn the RFI, which Air Force spokesman Col. Chris Geisel called “a bit premature,” according to Reuters news service. Read more in “The Tanker Blame Game” in September’s Air Force Magazine.

Related Content

DOD Condemns Iranian-Backed Houthi Attack on Partner UAE

Jan. 18, 2022
Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels attacked U.S. partner the United Arab Emirates on Jan. 17 with a combination of drone and missile strikes targeting two of the country’s airports and an oil refinery, killing three and setting off multiple explosions in the capital of Abu Dhabi. The Defense Department condemned the…

Air Force’s Major Accidents Trending Down Slightly

Jan. 18, 2022
The trend for Air Force major accidents is down over the past five years, with fewer Class A accidents and fewer deaths. However, Class B accidents, which are less destructive, are on the rise, according to data released by the service Jan. 18 and current as of Dec. 15.

Air Force Activates Two New Fighter Generation Squadrons at Moody

Jan. 18, 2022
The Air Force inactivated one squadron and activated two new ones at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., on Jan. 14, as Air Combat Command continues working to better align fighter operations and maintenance. The 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is making way for the 74th and 75th Fighter Generation Squadrons. The…

Countries Take Small Steps Toward Limiting Lethal Autonomous Weapons

Jan. 18, 2022
United Nations countries couldn’t agree on limiting lethal autonomous weapons, but those seeking a treaty may have made headway nonetheless. The U.N.’s Conference on Certain Conventional Weapons concluded its Sixth Review Conference in December, a meeting held once every five years, without moving ahead on treaty negotiations. But the fact…

Joint Chiefs’ Milley and Berger Test Positive for COVID-19

Jan. 17, 2022
Coronavirus struck senior Pentagon leaders over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley and Marine Corps Commandant David H. Berger testing positive. Milley is vaccinated and has had a booster shot, a spokesperson said. Vaccinations remain a…

Famed Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee Dies at 102

Jan. 17, 2022
One of the last surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen, retired Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, who flew 409 combat missions in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, died Jan. 16. He was 102.

USAF Looks to Small Businesses for Some F-22 Upgrades

Jan. 14, 2022
The Air Force Research Laboratory is looking for small businesses to help upgrade the F-22 Raptor. The stealth jet would get new helmet-mounted weapon cuing systems, artificial intelligence systems to help plot optimum intercepts and drive escort drones, and predictive maintenance gear, among a list of 14 potential opportunities, but…