Same Position, Different Day

Same Position, Different Day: Def

ense Secretary Robert Gates remains steadfast in his opposition to a split-buy of aerial tankers for the Air Force even though the idea is gaining traction on Capitol Hill among lawmakers in key defense-oversight positions like Rep. John Murtha (D-Penn.) and Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii). Meeting with reporters in the Pentagon Wednesday, Gates reiterated his stance that a split-buy is “bad public policy” and “bad acquisition policy” as well as a “bad deal” for taxpayers. (News conference excerpt) Procuring new tankers from both Boeing and Northrop Grumman, as opposed to choosing a winner from among them based on a fair competition for the KC-X program, would force the Air Force to maintain two different logistics trains and two kinds of training set-ups, Gates said. “Everything would have to be duplicated in the support structure,” he noted. He also reiterated that he has received no direction from the White House to delay the KC-X program by as much as five years, as was the rumor running amuck inside the Washington Beltway earlier this month.

3/20/2009

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.