The 62nd Airlift Wing at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., now has 52 C-17 transports in its inventory with the arrival of the newest airframe from Boeing’s C-17 plant in Long Beach, Calif. “We’re always grateful to take delivery of a new aircraft,” said Col. Kevin Kilb, the wing’s commander, during the Aug. 20 arrival ceremony. He added, “This new aircraft will increase our nation’s capacity and capability to execute our airlift mission.” The 62nd AW operates its C-17s together with Air Force Reserve Command’s 446th Airlift Wing under a classic association. Boeing spokesman Jerry Drelling confirmed to the Daily Report Monday that the 62nd AW’s new airframe is the 201st C-17 that the company has delivered to date to the Air Force. So far, USAF has ordered 213 of the 223 C-17s that is plans to procure. (Lewis-McChord photo caption by Amn. Leah Young)
Lockheed Martin plans to enter the Advanced Tactical Trainer fray to supply the Air Force with a new jet to bridge between undergraduate flight instruction and fighter training units, but declined to say whether it will offer a T-50A derivative, a different non-developmental airplane, or a clean-sheet design. It's comments…