05.19.08

Cantwell Calls on Secretary Gates to Fully Disclose All Additional Costs

Costs Incurred are Related to Northrop/EADS KC-45 Tanker and Impact on Basing Options

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) sent the following letter calling on Defense Secretary Robert Gates to fully disclose all additional costs related to the Northrop/EADS KC-45 tanker and the potential limitations on basing options for the new tankers.  Cantwell recently learned from site survey information for Fairchild Air Force Base that the Northrop/EADS KC-45 tanker will not fit within the existing Fairchild Maintenance Hangar given the KC-45’s tail height and wingspan.  The survey information also indicates that Fairchild would require runway strengthening in order to accommodate day-to-day operations of two squadrons of KC-45 tankers.
 
To date, Congress has not been provided complete information about these costs or the potential consequences for U.S. and foreign basing options for the new tankers. This information is critical to the debate about the Northrop/EADS KC-45 that will take place in Congress during the weeks and months ahead.
 
[The full text of the letter below]
 
May 19, 2008
 
The Honorable Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1000 
 
 
Dear Secretary Gates:
 
As you know, Fairchild Air Force Base has a strategic location in the Pacific Northwest and is already home to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. Since the 1940s, the base has proven to be an important asset for our country on account of ideal local weather conditions and the natural protective barrier provided by the Cascades Mountain range. We believe new refueling tankers should be based there irrespective of what company makes them in order to maintain our unique capability to project American power around the world. 
 
Therefore, we were very troubled to learn that site survey information for the base suggests that the Northrop/EADS KC-45 tanker will not fit within the existing Fairchild Maintenance Hangar given the KC-45’s tail height and wingspan. Likewise, it appears that Fairchild would require runway strengthening in order to accommodate day-to-day operations of two squadrons of KC-45 tankers due to their high gross weight and the resulting significant stress on existing runway pavement. During a recent visit to Fairchild, base officials were not aware of these facts.
 
This information gives rise to many questions about the KC-45’s operational limitations at other military bases around the United States and abroad and the military construction costs that will have to be incurred. It also appears that significant investments may be needed in order to operate KC-45 tankers from the civilian airfields around the country currently used by Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves.
 
All additional costs related to the Northrop/EADS KC-45 tanker must be fully disclosed to Congress in order for members to make informed decisions about national security. To date, Congress has not been provided complete information about these costs or the potential consequences for U.S. and foreign basing options for the new tankers. Given ongoing budget constraints, this information is critical.
 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
 
 
 
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