Pentagon Officials Apologize to Senator McCain Over Controversial Tanker Deal

Strategic Insights -

Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) has been leading a battle against the Air Force's plans to enter into a $23 billion dollar deal to buy aerial refueling aircraft. After two years of investigation, contrite Pentagon officials apologized to Senator McCain while the Pentagon's chief investigator concluded that the Defense Department failed to follow its own rules and regulations on weapons buying in pursuing the contract. The Pentagon's Inspector General found that Air Force leaders used congressional language to run roughshod over established rules and procedures for weapons buying, failing to ensure a fair price for the aircraft or even that they were needed as urgently as claimed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pentagon's Inspector General found that Air Force leaders, including Edward "Pete" Aldridge, Marvin Sambur, and Darleen Druyun, used congressional language to bypass established rules and procedures for weapons buying.
  • The report also concluded that Michael Wynne, the acting acquisition chief, raised concerns about the lease but failed to take corrective actions.
  • The investigation, which spanned 18 months, was prompted by Senator McCain's opposition to the $23 billion dollar deal.
  • The Pentagon's chief investigator, Joseph Schmitz, deleted names of congressional members, their staff, and White House officials from the final report due to agreements with the White House and Congress.
  • The report notes that several attempts were made to interview Edward "Pete" Aldridge, but he failed to respond, leading to criticism from panel members.
  • The report highlights the Pentagon's inability to provide accurate data on aircraft corrosion and the failure to negotiate a better price for the lease.

Statistics:

  • $23 billion: The estimated cost of the aerial refueling aircraft deal.
  • 18 months: The duration of the Pentagon's investigation into the deal.
  • 100: The number of commercially-derived tankers, including the Boeing KC 767A, that the Air Force planned to purchase.
  • 2003: The year in which Edward "Pete" Aldridge approved the tanker lease on his final day in the Pentagon.
  • 1: The number of voice mail messages left for Aldridge by the Inspector General's staff.
  • 1: The number of registered mail attempts made to contact Aldridge.

Sources:

  • "Management Accountability Review of the Boeing KC 767A Tanker program" by the Inspector General's office.
  • Testimony at the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing.
  • News article "Pentagon Officials Apologize to McCain Over Tanker Deal" by Sharon Weinberger.
  • Sources used in the news article, including the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the Pentagon's Inspector General's office.