Tanker choice not that plain

As an old tanker jock who flew the Boeing KC-135 back in the days when it sported orange stripes and has also logged many hours in the Boeing 707, I know that Boeing builds a superior product. However, I also know that the Airbus series aircraft has been very successful worldwide.

All I’ve heard from state politicians is that the award of the new tanker contract to Boeing is great for the economy and Washington state jobs. I’m certainly 100 percent on-board with this thinking, but I’ve a question. Does nobody care to address whether the Boeing aircraft is the best one for the Air Force? Is it the most mission-friendly and mission-flexible, the safest, the easiest to handle by the crew and the easiest to maintain? Both aircraft meet the minimum requirements, but shouldn’t we pick the best?

I totally back the concept of providing our military with the absolute best equipment possible, everything else being secondary. Wouldn’t it be considered a slap in the face to our airmen if the second best aircraft is chosen because it’s an economic boon for Washington state? Just asking.

Charlie Morris

Spokane