Not Chump Change

Not Chump Change: Splitting the work to suppl

y new aerial tankers between Boeing and Northrop Grumman would likely increase the Air Force’s developmental costs by “somewhere around $7 billion to $14 billion” in just over the next five years, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters April 14 at Ft. Rucker, Ala., during a tour of each service’s war college. He has steadfastly opposed a split buy, saying that those numbers should provide fuel to support a “clean competition” to choose a winner from among the two aerospace giants. He said he’s included money in the Fiscal 2010 budget that will allow the KC-X tanker recapitalization program to commence a fresh competition this summer. “My hope is that we can get on with this, award the contract perhaps early next year, next summer, in 2010, and then get on with building these tankers,” he said. Gates also mentioned that he would share the newly tweaked KC-X requirements “with interested parties, particularly the Congressional delegations of the states that have an interest in this, get their input, and then make our decision about going forward.” (Full transcript)

4/16/2009

Verbatim

Appreciative Host
"I know you're here during a difficult time. You're here through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. I promise you, we will find turkeys."
—Republic of Lithuania Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, expressing his thanks to airmen of the 493rd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, Britain, who on Sept. 1, 2010, began a four-month stint with their F-15s in Lithuania to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under NATO's Baltic air policing mission.

Verbatim

Family Momentum
"In many ways, this was what the Year of the Air Force Family was all about—connecting airmen and their families with the resources they need. I have confidence the Air Force will capitalize on this strong momentum in the years ahead by continuing to improve our family support programs and ensuring people know what resources are available."
—Suzie Schwartz, wife of USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, commenting on the accomplishments of the Year of the Air Force Family initiative that concluded in July, in a statement provided to the Daily Report, Aug. 22, 2010.