Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chair Calls Air Force TACAIR a 'Major Problem'

By John Reed / June 24, 2009 at 5:00 AM
House Appropriations defense subcommittee Chairman Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) today called the Air Force's aging tactical aviation fleet a "major problem" with no easily defined solution. Noting that the service's workhorse F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcon's are facing retirement in the next decade without readily available replacements, the congressman said "if we don't build [more F-22A Raptors] and maintenance problems continue to be a severe thing, that means we wouldn't have F-22s available if something happens." "Down the road...

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