Local officials: GAO ruling floats
on Boeing's wings of hot air
MOBILE, Ala. -– Today the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended that the U.S. Air Force aircraft refueling tanker contract be re-bid.
The $40 billion contract was awarded originally to Northrop Grumman on Feb. 29, 2008.
The KC-45 refueling tankers were to be assembled and modified in at Brookley Field here, representing 1,500 new jobs for area residents. The contract award to Northrop Grumman was protested by The Boeing Co., headquartered in Chicago, causing the GAO to spend the last 99 days reviewing the contract.
Reaction from local officials:
“It is apparent the GAO has been impacted by the public relations war that played out in the media,” said Win Hallett, president of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Boeing spent millions of dollars on an advertising attack," Hallett continued. "Based on the facts of the two proposals it is clear Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 is a far superior aircraft than Boeing’s offering. Mobile is ready to press on and fight for the best tanker.”
“(This is) obviously a huge disappointment,” said Bay Haas, executive director of the Mobile Airport Authority.
“Obviously we are incredibly disappointed," said Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine. "Boeing has succeeded in totally misrepresenting the nature of the project. Now we must continue to fight for this program and fight for jobs for Mobile and the central Gulf Coast.”
“Clearly Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 is the best plane at the best price,” said Nodine. “I think in the end that the planes will be built in Mobile County. We just have to keep on fighting.”
If Northrop Grumman and partner EADS are ultimately selected, their KC-45 tanker will be assembled at Brookley Field in Mobile. The KC-45 project is expected to create 1,500 new jobs at Brookley and thousands of indirect jobs across the Gulf Coast.
After the Air Force awarded the contract to Northrop Grumman and EADS, Boeing embarked on a massive public relations campaign, claiming the KC-45 would mean “outsourcing jobs” to Europe. Northrop Grumman officials say not a single job would go overseas and that 48,000 jobs nationwide will be created and 230 contractors in 49 states will be involved in manufacturing the KC-45.
“It’s unfortunate that Boeing’s mounted a misinformation campaign,” said Mobile County Commissioner Mike Dean. “Now we have to remain positive and continue our fight to get the truth out about the KC-45.”
“Certainly we believe that the KC-45 is the best plane for the American taxpayers and the American military. We have to continue to fight for this program and for jobs for Mobile County,” said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood.
“We are disappointed, of course. We still believe that Mobile and Northrop Grumman are the best for the American taxpayers and for the Air Force,” said Alabama State Port Authority Director Jimmy Lyons.
Gov. Bob Riley also weighed in: "It's important to note that the GAO did not make a judgment on the aircraft put forward by either company but on the process."
"We continue to believe Northrop-Grumman's tanker is the superior product for our warfighters," the governor stated.
"If the selection process needs to be redone, then I hope it's done quickly, and, I'm still confident the Northrop-Grumman tanker will win again," he said.
"What's most important is that the best aircraft be chosen for those who serve in our military and that political decisions never be allowed in the military's selection process," Riley concluded.
Mobile County Commissioners encouraged citizens to stay informed and engaged. The county’s keepourtanker.com website has been instrumental in attracting support for the KC-45, according to Nodine.
“Keep contacting your representatives locally, regionally, and nationally,” said Ludgood. “Let them know you support the KC-45. There’s a lot at stake for Mobile and the entire region.”
