ST. LOUIS, MO. – On the verge of a major victory to secure federal funds to keep the C-17 airlift line in production, U.S Senator Kit Bond today joined Bob Soutier, President of the St. Louis Labor Council and Boeing St. Louis workers at a rally to fight and save Missouri manufacturing jobs.

 

“I don’t want to see any of you lose your jobs,” said Bond. “I will fight to my last day in the Senate to save your jobs.”

 

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Bond was appalled that the Administration made the dangerous decision to end the C-17 program. Bond explained the C-17 is America’s only large airlift line, can carry large payloads long distances, and land on remote airfields. He noted that our armed forces can use the airlift in conventional warfare, irregular warfare or humanitarian assistance. For example, the airlift can evacuate wounded service members, drop humanitarian aid into Afghanistan or transport a ground convoy from Baghdad to Balad.

 

Since President Obama announced his decision to close the C-17 airlift line, Bond worked with members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and other Senate colleagues to restore funding. Bond told St. Louis workers that Senate Appropriations Chairman, Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, recently announced a tentative deal that includes $2.2 billion for the C-17 in the final supplemental defense appropriations bill. Before the bill is signed into law, the final bill must pass out of the conference committee and the House and Senate must vote on the final conference bill.

 

During the rally, Bond also discussed his fight to maintain the F/A-18 Super Hornet production line. The Obama Administration’s 2010 budget underfunds the Super Hornet and increases funds for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Bond explained that the JSF is not ready and is over budget. On the other hand, Bond stressed that the Super Hornet is the backbone of the Navy’s tactical air fighters and is the most lethal and effective aircraft in world. Bond emphasized the St. Louis production of the Super Hornet is on-time and on-budget and is the only plane available now to fill the Navy’s anticipated shortfall of 243 aircraft within the next 10 years. In addition to this, Bond noted that the U.S. can save taxpayer dollars and buy three Super Hornets at $49 million for one JSF at $150 million.

 

In closing, Bond urged the Obama Administration not to underfund the Super Hornet during these difficult economic times. The Super Hornet currently supports more than 110,000 American jobs in 1,400 companies in 44 states, including 4,000 jobs in St. Louis. The annual economic impact of these jobs is over $4.6 billion. Bond reiterated that these jobs help to sustain other military supplier divisions at Boeing and across America.

 

“Know this, we are fighting hard to save your jobs,” said Bond. “Because the fate of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and all Americans depend on the quality of the equipment they have to fight their missions. Without you doing your job, they cannot do their jobs.”

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