Jon Runyan: “My amendment simply states that none of the funds made available by this act may be used to retire, divest, or…”

“My amendment simply states that none of the funds made available by this act may be used to retire, divest, or transfer--or to prepare to retire, divest or transfer--the KC-10. During my time in Congress, I have been a strong supporter of the Air Force's new tanker, the KC-46A. We must bring a new tanker online, but during the transition, it is critical that we are able to meet all mission requirements. This is why I am strongly concerned by the Air Force's proposal to do a possible vertical cut of the KC-10 tanker and retire it. Having a mission capability shortfall by eliminating the newest tanker currently in our inventory while the KC-46A comes online is simply unacceptable. As many of you are aware, I am proud to have Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst in my district, and my colleague Mr. Garamendi has Travis Air Force Base in California, which are both home to the KC-10. This is not parochial. It is an air refueling and air mobility mission readiness issue. The KC-10 platform has more than proved itself as a workhorse in support of air refueling and air mobility in Iraq, Afghanistan, our homeland defense, and other missions as called upon. Unlike other tankers in our inventory, it can refuel Air Force, Navy, and international military aircraft with its dual boom and hose-and- drogue systems. The KC-10 itself can also be refueled while in flight, helping extend our global reach.…”