Thad Cochran: “I share the Senator's assessment that the extension of our maritime surveillance is critical to our security interests.…”

“I share the Senator's assessment that the extension of our maritime surveillance is critical to our security interests. The Coast Guard selected the CN-235 as the optimal solution for the Maritime Patrol Aircraft mission and I continually encourage the Commandant to aggressively pursue the modernization of all assets to address the mission needs of the Coast Guard. It is clear that the Maritime Patrol Aircraft requirement has been delayed due to the Coast Guard review and I support any expedited effort to ensure that the long-term maritime patrol mission requirement is addressed.”