WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Pat Roberts and Congressman Todd Tiahrt today sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Peter Orzsag inviting him to fly with them in a tanker to Wichita to illustrate the urgent need to replace the Air Force’s aging tanker fleet.

"For seven years we have failed to update the tanker for our troops," Senator Roberts said. "If he accepts, OMB Director Orzsag would see that right now, they are flying missions in planes that were delivered in the 1950s. The Administration should stop this terrible recommendation and fund the tanker as it is the Air Force’s number one priority."

"We have worked to stop a French tanker twice already," said Rep. Tiahrt. "What we are telling OMB is that we are not about to entertain an Obama Administration idea to postpone the tanker procurement program for five years. Thanks to strong leadership from Senator Roberts and Senator Brownback on this issue, we have seen great progress in moving toward the goal of an American tanker built by American workers."

The following is the text of the letter sent to Director Orzsag:

"Recently, we received word that you recommended the Department of Defense cut the aerial refueling tanker program. This information is of great concern to us, not just as Kansans, but as Americans concerned with our national defense.

"The Air Force’s refueling tanker is vital to our ability to project power across the globe. Without it, we simply cannot deploy troops and assets where they are needed in a timely fashion. In this world of ever increasing risk, access denial is a very real, very threatening prospect that we should do everything in our power to avoid.

"Understandably, there is great concern regarding the procurement of the tanker. It has by no means been a smooth process. However, we continue to fight tooth and nail for our Air Force because they not only deserve, they desperately need the best possible tanker.

"To better understand this need, and the vital role the tanker plays in our nation’s defense, we invite you to join us on a flight from Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Maryland to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. As the largest super tanker base in the world, McConnell is simply outstanding. We welcome the opportunity for you to experience tanker flight and speak with the men and women who fly and maintain these aircraft.

"We have no doubt that such a trip will illustrate better than anything else how important a new tanker is to our nation. We also believe it would be very worthwhile to see the next generation tankers Boeing Wichita has built for our allies, Italy and Japan. The difference in capability is dramatic, and will be even more so if we wait another 5 years or longer to even begin building a new tanker for our Air Force."

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