Pentago
n acquisition boss John Young and USAF’s acquisition executive Sue Payton are expected to appear tomorrow in front of the House Armed Services Committee to discuss the path forward for theKC-X tanker program. So far, we haven’t heard anything concrete, but, in the meantime, some lawmakers have been making tanker-related news. For example, the Press-Register of Mobile, Ala., reported July 7 that Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) has joined other members of the Alabama Congressional delegation (hint: Northrop Grumman supporters) in condemning a bill introduced by members of the Kansas Congressional delegation (hint: Boeing supporters) that would force USAF to recompete the program or award the multi-billion-dollar contract to Boeing outright. “This approach is irresponsible, short-sighted and harmful to both the warfighter and the nation,” Shelby told Defense Secretary Robert Gates in a July 2 letter, according to the newspaper.
U.S. Northern Command plans to sign an agreement with its European and Pacific counterparts to enhance coordination and close security seams in the Arctic, a strategically vital region that spans all three commands. The agreement comes at an important moment in NORTHCOM's evolution, as its mission grows more complex.
