The Conundrum of Airlift

The Air Force Magazine Online reports today that the effort led by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to delete the $2.5 billion funding for 10 more C-17s from the 2010 defense spending bill was defeated by a vote of 64-34. Appropriations Committee chairman Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), pushed for the add-on.

While Pres. Obama's administration plan was opposed to the additional C-17s, no strong objection was raised as compared to proposed increases in F-22s. Proponents believe the military needs more C-17s and that older C-5s should be retired.

Coincidentally, the Government Accountability Office yesterday released a report on DoD's reliance on the Civilian Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). The report notes there has been a 55% decline in CRAF capacity since 2003 AND DoD large cargo movements have increased. The report notes that there is NO U.S. commercial cargo aircraft capable of moving the MRAPs and DoD is using foreign-owned carriers to assist military airlift missions.