REP. CALVERT HELPS SECURE ADDITIONAL C-17 PRODUCTION IN FY06 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL
April 9, 2009
Congressman Ken Calvert worked with members of the Projection Forces Subcommittee to pass out of subcommittee H.R. 1815, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. The bill provides for an additional 42 C-17 aircraft to enable the Air force to meet its future airlift needs.
"I'm pleased that we were able to increase the C-17 procurement numbers in the FY-06 bill. The Air Force needs the strategic airlift capability that only the C-17 provides to fulfill its mission in the Global War on Terror. I look forward to supporting this bill in the full committee markup and on the House Floor," said Calvert.
The C-17 is a strategic cargo aircraft, capable of rapid delivery to main operating bases and directly to forward bases in a deployment area. The aircraft is also capable of performing tactical airlift and airdrop missions. March Air Reserve Base, in Riverside California, is scheduled to receive the first eight C-17s to be assigned to the Air Force Reserve. The first aircraft will arrive in August 2005.
The C-17 is currently procured under a multiyear procurement contract, in which the funding for the last aircraft is planned to be appropriated in fiscal year 2007 and the last deliveries under the existing contract scheduled for fiscal year 2008. The Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command testified to the Projection Forces Subcommittee on March 17, 2004, that at least 42 additional C-17 aircraft will be required to meet future airlift needs.
To maintain the current production rate beyond fiscal year 2007 for additional C-17 aircraft, the Department of the Air Force requires authorization for a follow-on multiyear contract beginning in fiscal year 2006. H.R. 1815 authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to enter into a multiyear contract beginning in fiscal year 2006 for 42 additional C-17 aircraft.
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"I'm pleased that we were able to increase the C-17 procurement numbers in the FY-06 bill. The Air Force needs the strategic airlift capability that only the C-17 provides to fulfill its mission in the Global War on Terror. I look forward to supporting this bill in the full committee markup and on the House Floor," said Calvert.
The C-17 is a strategic cargo aircraft, capable of rapid delivery to main operating bases and directly to forward bases in a deployment area. The aircraft is also capable of performing tactical airlift and airdrop missions. March Air Reserve Base, in Riverside California, is scheduled to receive the first eight C-17s to be assigned to the Air Force Reserve. The first aircraft will arrive in August 2005.
The C-17 is currently procured under a multiyear procurement contract, in which the funding for the last aircraft is planned to be appropriated in fiscal year 2007 and the last deliveries under the existing contract scheduled for fiscal year 2008. The Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command testified to the Projection Forces Subcommittee on March 17, 2004, that at least 42 additional C-17 aircraft will be required to meet future airlift needs.
To maintain the current production rate beyond fiscal year 2007 for additional C-17 aircraft, the Department of the Air Force requires authorization for a follow-on multiyear contract beginning in fiscal year 2006. H.R. 1815 authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to enter into a multiyear contract beginning in fiscal year 2006 for 42 additional C-17 aircraft.
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Issues:
Defense