Tanker contract award announced

Two maintainers from the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare for a gear retraction operational check on a KC-135 Stratotanker May 30 at a deployed location in Southwest Asia. Coalition tankers off-loaded about 2.8 million pounds of fuel to more than 220 aircraft May 30. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Robert Burgess)

AMC statement on GAO's KC-45A tanker decision

Published June 19, 2008
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Air Force general responsible for the nation's air refueling fleet said he's disappointed efforts to bring a new tanker into operation may be further delayed.

The GAO released a decision, June 18, that sustained portions of a protest filed by Boeing. The contract is for the development and procurement of up to 179 tanker aircraft and is valued at approximately $35 billion.

"While I respect the process for appealing the Air Force's decision and understand the important role of the GAO, I am very disappointed to hear the tanker acquisition process may be further delayed," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, commander of Air Mobility Command. "It's vitally important that we get this critical asset in the hands of our warfighters. Without a new tanker, this capability -- and our nation's ability to project power and humanitarian assistance in the future -- is in significant jeopardy."

The average age of the Air Force's KC-135 fleet is now 47 years. Replacement of the aging aircraft is the Air Force's #1 acquisition priority.

"We need a quick resolution to the issues identified by the GAO," General Lichte added. "We must move forward as soon as possible -- recapitalizing the tanker fleet is simply a matter of national security."