Letter to The Honorable Michael B. Donley, Secretary of The US Air Force
Letter
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Dear Secretary Donley:
I am writing to reiterate my concerns regarding the Air Force's proposed elimination of the C-27J program. I believe that eliminating C-27Js could have unintended consequences regarding the safety and effectiveness of our deployed servicemembers, while simultaneously increasing the costs of transporting troops and delivering supplies to remote areas.
I believe the President's budget proposal calling for the elimination of the C-27J program is both shortsighted and counterproductive. The C27J's comparatively low operating costs and critical supply and operating functions cannot be replicated by other older aircraft. Furthermore, the C-27J is critically incorporated into our overseas missions freeing up our CH-47 fleet to provide aerial assault and resupply support to ground troops located in remote areas.
I understand the Department of Defense claims that eliminating the C27J will save money; yet it costs almost five times more to operate a CH-47, per hour, than it does to operate the C-27J. Given that the CH-47 may have to conduct current C27J missions should DOD terminate the program, the cost-effectiveness of this decision should be revisited.
I ask that you work with the Congress to identify responsible ways to meet the Air Force's mission requirements while addressing the Department's budget constraints. In this vein, I ask that you immediately cease elimination of the program absent Congressional authorization. The C27J is a program of record. All stakeholders must have the time needed to consider the full fiscal and operational ramifications of ending C-27J procurement.
Should such an analysis determine that the C-27J program should be eliminated, I ask that you require DOD to identify a replacement mission for Ohio's Mansfield Air National Guard base before its C-27J mission -- and the men and women who serve it -- are terminated. I look forward finding a time when you are able to meet with myself and the Ohio delegation.
I look forward to continuing our work together.
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