“Boeing has succeeded in totally misrepresenting the nature of the project. Now we must continue to fight for this program and fight for jobs for Mobile and the central Gulf Coast."
Mobile County Commission President Stephen Nodine .
"Certainly we believe that the KC-45 is the best plane for the American taxpayers and the American military. We have to continue to fight for this program and for jobs for Mobile County." Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood .
Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain called the GAO decision "unfortunate for the taxpayers," saying Air Force officials "need to go back and redo the contracting process and ... hopefully they will get it right." John McCain, Republican Presidential Candidate
“I cannot believe that in the most highly scrutinized procurement in the history of the United States Air Force the GAO found so many errors. The fact that the Air Force will likely have to go back to square one on the warfighter's number one priority is very disturbing.” U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, Alabama
"We're not going to sit still with the GAO announcement. The gloves are coming off, and I implore all citizens in the Panhandle to do everything possible to lobby their political leaders to keep this contract on the Gulf Coast." Escambia County Commission Chairman Gene Valentino
“The company's sense of entitlement and arrogance are breathtaking. Remember this is the same Boeing whose officials pleaded guilty and went to jail over corruptly influencing the last tanker contract in 2003. The ultimatum issued to the Air Force by Boeing and its supporters is unconscionable.” U.S. Rep. Joe Bonner, Alabama
"We are disappointed, but we are not discouraged by today's news. We still believe we have the better aircraft. If this competition has to be reopened, which is not necessarily the case, I feel comfortable that we will win the contest once again. Our support for Northrop Grumman has never been stronger. The Air Force has 60 days to respond, and we will wait for that response before mapping our next step." Mobile Mayor Sam Jones
"Buying new refueling tankers is our Air Force's number one procurement priority. Many of the KC-135s currently being flown are past due for retirement; we need to buy new tankers and get them to our airmen as soon as possible. I urge the Air Force to carefully expedite this process so they can begin the procurement of the best platform for our airmen and the taxpayers." U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez
While this is a most disappointing decision, the competition is not over. I am confident the merits of the Northrop Grumman-EADS tanker will be acknowledged. It is important to note that this was a decision based on errors in process, not on the relative merits of the aircraft." U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions
The ultimate decision obviously will be made by the Air Force. Hopefully, Northrop Grumman will address those (the GAO's seven) issues to the point that the Air Force will continue to be satisfied that Northrop Grumman has the best contract, so we're going to continue to strongly support Commissioner Nodine and Mobile.”
Don Salter, Santa Rosa County Commission
"Though we're disappointed, it's important to recognize that the GAO announcement is an evaluation of the selection process, not the merits of the aircraft. We remain confident that the Northrop Grumman KC-45 is the aircraft best suited to meet the Air Force's critical mission requirements, as demonstrated by four previous competitive selections." EADS spokesman Guy Hicks
“The Air Force needs a new tanker, and nothing in the GAO report refutes the fact that the Northrop Grumman KC-45 is the most capable tanker and is ready now to go into production.”
Paul Meyer, Northrop Grumman Vice President of Air Mobility Systems
"We are excited that Brookley Field will once again be a hub of American military aircraft manufacturing. There is no doubt that Mobile is poised to be the crown jewel of a rapidly growing aerospace center of excellence in the southeastern United States, bringing thousands of jobs and creating endless opportunities for our entire region," said Congressman Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, May 13, 2008
"I take great pleasure in offering you my full support of the award of the Northrop Grumman Contract to our neighboring city of Mobile, Alabama. As a senior member of the Florida House of Representatives and a member of its Jobs Council, I am a strong supporter of economic development. "I believe the Northrop Grumman contract will not only benefit the City of Mobile, but will also benefit the entire region of Northwest Florida in terms of economic development and creation of businesses and jobs," said Rep. Dave Murzin, May 2, 2008.
“I’m here today to send the message to the rest of the country: This is not about red states or blue states, this is about red white and blue. This is about doing what’s in the best interests of this country and our fighting men and women,” said Governor Bob Riley at a joint resolution signing on May 1, 2008.
"In selecting Northrop, the Air Force chose capabilities for our men and women over politics and presumption. They picked the airplane that would deliver 30 percent more fuel and 68 percent more cargo than what Boeing offered. You might expect this increased capability would cost more but it didn't. Both had about the same price tag. The choice was clear," said US Representative, Bennie Thompson in a letter to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, April 27, 2008.
“This is a terrific victory for our region. We are always trying to attract business into the Northwest Florida, but with this project so geographically close to us, the spillover into our economy will be significant. This has the potential to be the catalyst for a sustained job growth trend along the entire Gulf Coast," said Florida Congressman Jeff Miller in a press release supporting the Air Force decision. April 25, 2008.
“The Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is excited for this new economic opportunity. This win is far reaching and we know that residents of Escambia County will benefit from the good paying jobs that will become available directly through the contract and through the suppliers who may locate to our area," said Evon Emerson, President/CEO of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of commerce on April 24, 2008.
“This project will impact the entire Gulf Coast region and it is vital to our continued economic growth. TEAM Santa Rosa stands firm with our neighbors in urging the Department of Defense to honor the Air Force’s decision and allow the project to proceed in a timely manner,” said Cindy Anderson, Executive Director of TEAM Santa Rosa on April 24, 2008.
"If the process was legitimate, and I have no reason to think it was not, we should get on with it. There is a need for an Air Force replacement tanker. We shouldn't delay this any longer than necessary," said John McCain during a stop in Thomasville, AL as part of his presidential campaign. (McCain: Get on with the tanker, George Talbot, Mobile Press Register, April 22, 2008.)
"We had an excellent competition, two great proposals and one proposal clearly delivered better value and better capability. I think it's going to be dangerous to set aside valid source selections on a political basis, because where does that stop?" said John Young, the defense department's under secretary in charge of acquisitions. (Pentagon To Boeing: Move On, Brian Wingfield. Forbes.com, April 21, 2008.)
"The KC-45 will be the lynchpin in a new Southern aerospace corridor," predicted Northrop Grumman Vice President, Phillip Teel, in a meeting at the Atlanta Press Club. (Georgia to get a share of new Northrop Grumman jobs, written by John Kessler, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, April 17, 2008)
"The opinions of these experts are only bolstered when evaluated against other contract selections in foreign countries in which Northrop Grumman and Boeing competed. On similar projects of scale and scope, Northrop was selected over the same competitor for four of six awards," Alabama Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. wrote in a letter to the nation's lieutenant governors. (Alabama's Lt. Gov. defends tanker contract to colleagues, Associated Press, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 4, 2008)
"Northrop Grumman is an American defense technology company with 120,000 employees. We built the B-2 Stealth Bomber, America's nuclear aircraft carriers, the Global Hawk unmanned system, hundreds of other defense systems, and we are now the prime contractor for the KC-45A," said Northrop Grumman CEO, Ronald Sugar, in the opinion section of the Huntsville Times, April 3, 2008.
"Basically, Northrop offered a more capable, lower cost system at lower risk than Boeing. That's why they won. That's just not my view -- that's the view of men and women from five different air forces who decide what type of aircraft they want to take into combat. I'll defer to the warfighter's judgment." Can Five Air Forces All Be Wrong? by Lt. Gen. Tom McInerney, Human Events.com, March 31, 2008.
"In announcing that Northrop Grumman had won the bid, Air Force Assistant Secretary for Acquisition Sue Payton stated unequivocally that there was constant, open communication between her group and the two competitors. Each side had a chance, through multiple steps, to protest or question anything that they felt was going awry in the process. Boeing accepted the playing field as it was and remained silent. In fact, company officials repeatedly praised the openness of the process. It was only after they lost that they found it to be unfair." Charles Horner, National Review, March 31, 2008.
"The Air Force selected the Northrop Grumman KC-45A for the two most important reasons - because it provides the best capability for our war fighters and the best value for American taxpayers. Any effort by Congress to undo the award to Northrop Grumman and its partners would have unprecedented, long-term implications for our national defense, and for the industry that supports it. It would clearly undermine the integrity of the government procurement process. Changing the rules all agreed to play by after the game is over is simply not the American way," said Northrop Grumman CEO, Ronald Sugar, in a letter to the Birmingham News, March 30, 2008.
“Throughout this process, I have been a staunch supporter of the Northrop Grumman/EADS offering. The KC-30 is by far the most superior platform in design, fuel efficiency and overall capability. Not only is this the right decision for our military, but it is great news for Alabama. Our state’s highly skilled workforce is ready for this challenge and will take full advantage of this opportunity to bolster Alabama’s burgeoning economy and support the American warfighter,” said US Senator Richard Shelby in a recent press release, February 29, 2008.
"I think it would be completely Un-American for the contract not to be honored. Everything was done in the manner and fashion from Northrop/EADS, and to be honest this could cause serious ramifications in future bids. Our people that will be building these planes are just as American as anybody that lives in the United States, and in my opinion, a little bit more. We've always stood for what is right and today is no exception. "Alabama State Representative, Joe Faust, District 94.
"The complaints have come now from some who didn't win, and I think that's a bit late. It's not acceptable to change the rules in the middle of the game, and it's certainly not acceptable to change the rules after the game is over," said AL Senator Jeff Sessions. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 24, 2008)
"As an Escambia County Florida Commissioner, I congratulate and support Mobile County on its recent selection as the home of the air tanker manufacturer. This selection will be a great economic boost to the entire Central Gulf Coast region, including Escambia County. Whether it is an actual employee of the facility, a supplier that relocates to the area, or a local business that provides goods or services to employees, citizens in our County will be positively impacted by this decision. Again this a great selection for our community and I personally support it." Escambia County, Florida Commissioner, Grover C. Robinson, IV.
"The Air Force is charged with getting the best bang for its defense bucks, not propping up U.S. manufacturing. And although keeping jobs in their districts is an understandable concern for lawmakers, it shouldn't factor into the government's contracting process, especially when it comes to defense contracts." from Editorial: AF, Boeing tangle over new tanker, Northwest Florida Daily News, March 24, 2008.
"We are very excited about, and grateful for, the responsibility the U. S. Air Force, Northrop Grumman and EADS-NA have entrusted to our region." Marc Pelham, Director, Brookley Complex.
"This is an amazing state and region. We will make EADS and Airbus proud as well as the nation and international community." Randy Davis, Alabama State Representative, District 96.
"I would like to take just a moment to let everyone know that the Alabama Gulf Coast is proud of Mobile and the work that was done to locate this important facility to the area. Not only will it supply jobs for people in Mobile,but it will also affect the entire Baldwin County area as well. The city of Gulf Shores certainly supports the Mobile County effort and stands behind this important announcement. We stand ready to do what is necessary to make sure that this decision is successful." Ernie Smith, Economic Development Director, Gulf Shores, Ala.
"We in Mobile are proud of the ships we're making for the Navy. We're proud to have been selected by the Air Force to build the very best tanker for our fighting men and women. Most important, we're proud to be Americans," said County Commission President, Steve Nodine. (Mobile Isn't France, Opinion Section, Wichita Eagle, March 16, 2008.)
"Overturning this contract decision would set a terrible precedent. It would signal to allies that while their governments are expected to buy our stuff, we won't buy theirs. It would mean that Boeing would become the monopoly supplier of transport planes to the U.S. government, with the power to dictate prices and terms. And the message it would send to every contracting officer in every government agency is that if they know what is good for their careers, they will put political considerations ahead of getting the best value for the American taxpayer." ("Outrage Is Wasted on Boeing's Snub by the Air Force", by Steven Pearlstein, The Washington Post, March 7, 2008.)
"But if international competition is a sound economic concept when you win - and it is - then it's a sound economic concept when you lose. Members of Congress crying 'Buy American,' planning hearings and threatening to withhold funding for the $35 billion contract should cool their jets." (Editorial: Boeing should accept USAF decision, Newsday, March 12, 2008.)
"Congress ought to refrain from meddling with the contract. Reactionary politics has no place in the complicated global market of post-Cold War era defense contracting." (editorial, The Facts About the U.S. Military Tanker Contract, The Denver Post, March 13, 2008.)
"How do you get companies to bid when you discover at the end of the day that Lucy pulls away the football? It would discourage companies from making significant investments to compete and then the Defense Department wouldn't get full competition. The stakes here are bigger than just one contract," said Northrop Chairman and CEO Ronald Sugar in an interview with the Associated Press. (Northrop CEO: Tanker deal should stand, Business Week, March 13, 2008.)
"Forcibly reversing the Air Force decision would send all the wrong messages — that competition is fine as long as only Boeing can win; that other nations should buy U.S. military aircraft, but the U.S. won't buy theirs; and that lobbying, campaign donations and a U.S. address are more important than which plane does the better job." (Our view on defense spending: Boeing's big contract loss prompts jingoistic outburst, Opinion section, USA Today, March 13, 2008)
"I am disappointed that Boeing concluded that it should protest the Air Force's decision because doing so could delay delivery of these much needed tankers. Boeing's protest will be judged by the independent GAO (the U.S. General Accounting Office). Frankly, based on what I have seen, I am confident that the GAO will uphold the Air Force's decision in favor of Northrop Grumman/EADS," said Senator Jeff Sessions. (Politics' fueling tanker uproar, Montgomery Advertiser, March 13, 2008.)
“Unfortunately, the men and women who serve this great country and protect it every day have to wait again on politics,” said Steve Nodine, President of the Mobile County Commission, in an interview with NBC 15 in Mobile regarding Boeing’s decision to protest the tanker decision. (March 10, 2008.)
"People all over the world are going to look at Mobile as a place to work, live and spend the rest of their life,"
said Mobile County Commissioner Mike Dean.
(“Officials react to Northrop/EADS announcement”, Mobile Press Register, February 29, 2008.)
"ThyssenKrupp and now EADS-Northrop Grumman! Mobile County is entering a new era of economic prosperity," said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. (Associated Press, March 1, 2008.)
"The Northrop Grumman-EADS project will expand the aerospace industry in Mobile, as well as provide a tremendous amount of opportunities for additional aircraft manufacturing suppliers, and good-paying jobs for the people of our region. This a community-changing industry," Mobile Mayor Sam Jones said at a news conference. (Associated Press, March 1, 2008.)
“To say this is a great day for Alabama is a monumental understatement. This will go down in history as one of our greatest days,” Alabama Gov. Bob Riley reacting to news that the US Air Force has awarded a $40 billion contract to Northrop Grumman Corp-EADS team that plans to build new tanker planes in Mobile. (Mobile Press Register, March 1, 2008)
“Our state is on a roll economically. Bringing these jobs to Alabama will solidify our stellar reputation as an industrial leader and send a strong message to the rest of the world: Alabama is open for business.” U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, R Tuscaloosa. (Mobile Press Register, Saturday, March 1, 2008)
"We are taking off literally and figuratively as the hottest city in America to do business." Mobile County Commission President Stephen Nodine. (WKRG TV, February 29, 2008)