June 18, 2008

Reaction of U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash)
To GAO Decision to Sustain Boeing Tanker Protest

“This is a sweeping and detailed decision that identifies numerous substantive errors made by the Air Force in this competition to replace the fleet of KC-135 aerial refueling tankers. Contrary to the public statements made by the Air Force, the larger Airbus A-330 did NOT provide the best value to the taxpayer or to the warfighter. While the GAO has documented many of the significant errors that were made in this competition, it is now up to Congress to review the matter and to make its judgment about how we meet the urgent need to replace these tanker aircraft. I believe the Air Force should set aside the agreement it improperly reached with EADS/Northrop Grumman and we should proceed expeditiously to build the best aircraft – the Boeing KC-767 – here at home.“

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