Bonner ‘Outraged’ About Tanker Decision

Tanker Pentagon Click here to read the full text.

by Jamie Burch

Published: Wed, September 10, 2008 - 12:24 pm CST

“I am outraged by the Department of Defense’s decision to cancel this competition.

“We now have a 50 year old aircraft fleet with no viable plans to replace it.

“It has been seven years since the Air Force initiated its program to replace the KC-135 fleet. The current competition began on April 2006, and DoD’s latest plan was to award a contract by the end of the year.

“Today, we are told DoD is scrapping all the work that has been done by all parties since April 2006 and is essentially declaring the project “too hard to do.”

“The secretary says his decision was necessary because DoD could not make an award before the end of this presidential administration. That is flawed thinking. Competitions should be non-political processes carried out by the career professionals in the military. They frequently bridge presidential administrations.

“I am, frankly, embarrassed for the DoD leadership. They have an urgent military need yet are simply giving up efforts to address that need.

“It is a very sad comment when our nation is engaged in two wars – in two different regions of the world – that DoD would abdicate its responsibility.

“On September 7th, alone, it was reported that the Air Force and coalition tanker crews flew 45 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3.2 million pounds of fuel to 180 receiving aircraft. This type activity is occurring every day, and yet, we are now left with the numbing decision to continue flying the tankers built when Dwight Eisenhower was president.

“Along the Gulf Coast, people are often told to “fish or cut bait.” DoD has been cutting bait far too long on this program. Imagine what the men and women of our military must be thinking right now.”

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cmb1 Says:

Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 7:17 am

Blame it on the man with no b—-!

southfan1981 Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 4:21 pm

Blame it on the rain

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 3:53 pm

It is all so obvious! Procedural issues were to be addressed and bids resubmitted. Then Boeing wanted another 10 years to design a new aircraft to put up against the KC-45.
. This Gates guy diddles around and decides to wait for a new president! None of the pricing will be the same by the time this is on the table and the whole blasted thing will be delayed again.
. This is a ploy to make NG toss up their hands so that Boeing will get it by default!

hfloyd Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 3:46 pm

cmb1 - try the republican GOP headquarters - 3698B Airport Blvd, Yester Oaks shopping center for McCain Palin items. The local GOP has website with info on it…

hfloyd Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 3:41 pm

Maybe the strike by Boeing Machinists put a kink into the DoD’s plan. Since when does the government bidding process stop for presidential administrations…. the leaders of the government may change but not the nuts and bolts. What a sham!!! How could the bidding process be so hard -they are the ones who set the rules. I thought they were only addressing the points of contention by GAO and not the whole bid….they should be embarrassed. I am sure the AF men/women flying the 50 yr old refueling planes are less than thrilled with this.

cmb1 Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 3:18 pm

Does anyone know where to get McCain/Palin bumper stickers or yard signs? I hope the military families are watching this and seeing who is holding it up when they go to the polls!

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 3:12 pm

McCain/Palin ‘08!!!

loscoz Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 3:05 pm

I just have to say that it is sad to see our government stop the process on trying to build new Tankers when the fleet that they have now is so old. The Military will definitely suffer because of this decision.

God Bless!

southfan1981 Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 2:29 pm

Just how much money was wasted on this process?

the inquiring mind Says:

Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 1:19 pm

Its pathetic that the DoD can’t make a bidding process that works because one contractor has too much hold over and within the government itself.