Cole Responds to Proposed Cuts to AWACS Aircraft

Press Release

Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement after the United States Air Force announced force structure changes in light of the president's fiscal year 2015 budget proposal.

In order to meet the funding levels laid out in the president's budget proposal, the Air Force announced it would need to remove from its inventory nearly 500 aircraft in the next five years from both the active and reserve. These reductions would include the inactivation of seven Reserve AWACS also known as E-3 Sentry aircraft stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City.

"I am disappointed that the president's budget proposal cuts aircraft that are high demand assets in protecting our nation," said Cole. "AWACS aircraft have been dispatched by NATO to fly over Poland and Romania to monitor the crisis in the Ukraine, stressing the need for more reconnaissance capability rather than less in this dangerous world. With this budget, our nation is taking on more risk than in previous years, and our ability to respond effectively and immediately to our enemies could be diminished, unless the president works with Congress to make tough decisions in the months ahead.

"Commander-in-Chief is arguably the most important role played by each and every president that has served our country. Though the nature of threats in our world during America's more than 237-year history have changed over time, that hasn't made and shouldn't make the responsibility of defending our nation any lighter. Even when the threat seems less immediate or involves defending our allies, we must keep our military strong and protect our ability to respond, regardless of how obvious or dangerous threats appear," concluded Cole.

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