B
oeing has just finished refurbishing one of the Air Force’s four E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft. In a company statement, Boeing E-4B program manager Andy Reheis says, “With a small fleet of four aircraft, it is critical that we deliver this important national asset on cost and on schedule.” Boeing has provided programmed depot maintenance for the NAOC aircraft, which are modified 747s, for more than 26 years. The average age of the four aircraft is 32.3 years.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.