Haley Stevens: “I am also informed that the aircraft, air carriers, and air charter providers being used to provide the charters for our…”

“I am also informed that the aircraft, air carriers, and air charter providers being used to provide the charters for our contractors in Iraq are, in some cases, using poorly trained crews to fly outdated and poorly maintained aircraft. The Senate Armed Services Committee will most likely address this matter during their consideration of the fiscal year 2008 Defense authorization bill. We should consider requiring that air charter operates in Iraq and Afghanistan, funded either directly or indirectly by congressional appropriations, meet safety and maintenance standards equal to those required by charters in the U.S. and European Union.”