AFA Urges a Review Process Based on the Facts...not Rhetoric

Arlington, VA – The Air Force Association, strictly neutral on all military contract decisions, today urged that the appeals process for the recently announced Air Force tanker contract remain properly focused on the merits of the aircraft proposals.

As stated last week, AFA leaders support the efforts by the U.S. Air Force to act transparently and properly under the established rules and laws in reaching a tanker proposal decision. As it is known, the structured procedure included an expert evaluation team, and worked to prioritize the capabilities and costs to the taxpayer as required under statute.

“It is clear the Air Force made an effort to follow a fair, specific procedure with independent oversight,” said Bob Largent, AFA’s Chairman of the Board.  “We urge the rhetoric to stop and let the GAO expeditiously complete the process requested.  Until that time, comments suggesting the process was deliberately manipulated are without fact or substance and reflect negatively upon the integrity of the Air Force, its processes and its people, something the AFA believes is factually unwarranted.” 

 “The Air Force needs new tankers, and AFA strongly supports that objective,” reiterated Mike Dunn, President of AFA.  “A review process should go ahead with a clear focus on the facts. The process should be allowed to work so that the Air Force’s number one procurement priority can move forward.”

AFA recognizes the right of contractors to protest awards, and again urges all parties, including the GAO and Congress, to keep focused so that production can begin on new Air Force tankers without unnecessary delay.

Replacing the aging KC-135 fleet is the Air Force’s number one acquisition priority, even among many significant needs due to an aging fleet. The KC-135s average 46 years old already, and even when production begins on new tankers, the Air Force will depend on KC-135s for decades to come.

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