Byron Dorgan: “I rise to explain the amendment that I have offered with Senator Conrad to ensure full funding for the B-52 bomber…”

“I rise to explain the amendment that I have offered with Senator Conrad to ensure full funding for the B-52 bomber fleet. Let me outline what my amendment would do and then let my colleagues know why the Senate should pass it. We have 94 B-52 bombers in active service in the Air Force today. Our experience in the Vietnam war and the Persian Gulf war shows that the B-52 has long been our workhorse bomber. But despite what the B-52 continues to do for our national defense, the Air Force is considering drawing down the B-52 fleet. I am trying to prevent this from happening, and to keep B-52's up and flying. My amendment would provide the Air Force with the funding to operate and maintain 94 B-52 aircraft either in active status or in attrition reserve. A plane in active status, of course, is part of a combat coded squadron. A plane in attrition reserve is not in a separate squadron but is cycled through active squadrons, and is maintained in flyable condition. In order to pay for full maintenance of the B-52 fleet, my amendment would transfer $44.9 million in Air Force research and development funds to Air Force operations and maintenance.”