(Washington, D.C.)  – Today, the U.S. Defense Department presented its final Request For Proposal (RFP) for a new fleet of refueling tankers to replace the aging KC-135’s.  Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement:

“I commend Secretary Gates and the U.S. Air Force for their continuing efforts to build the next generation of aerial refueling tankers.  Right now, the men and women at Fairchild Air Force Base are flying air refueling tankers that are more than 50 years old.   That is not consistent with our goal of having a modern Air Force using state-of-the-art technology.”

“This acquisition process for the KC-X has been drawn out for too long and has cost taxpayers too much money.  It is time that we see an open, fair, and transparent competition so that we have a final contract awarded this fall.”

Since coming to Congress in 2005, Rep. McMorris Rodgers has been a strong advocate for Fairchild Air Force Base, the largest employer in Eastern Washington.  The current KC-X Tanker competition process started in 2006 and the Congresswoman continues to ensure it remains the Air Force’s number one priority.