Sacramento, CA – Assemblymembers Jim Frazier (D-Oakley), Susan Bonilla (D-Concord), Mariko Yamada (D-Davis), and Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) sent the following letter to Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the United States Air Force, urging him to reconsider a possible sequestration cut that would eliminate the 27 KC-10 Extenders assigned to Travis Air Force Base.
October 25, 2013
The Honorable Michael B. Donley
Secretary of the Air Force
1670 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330Dear Secretary Donley:
We write today in strong support of maintaining the Air Mobility Command’s KC-10 fleet at Travis Air Force Base. The viability of Travis AFB is crucial to the economy of Solano County, the surrounding region, as well as to the security of our entire country.
As you know, placing the KC-10 fleet onto the chopping block does not make sense given the KC-10’s status as the workhorse of the Air Force’s aerial refueling fleet. The KC-10 possesses maximum efficiency in refueling aircraft and transporting supplies across the Pacific and beyond to execute the mission of the United States Military. If the KC-10 fleet were retired it would result in the devastating elimination of hundreds of jobs and hinder the Air Force’s ability to efficiently refuel midair. Travis AFB is an asset to the community and to the military; Team Travis is highly trained and capable to oversee an Air Mobility Command and should continue with that mission.
In addition, Travis AFB is vital to the region as the single largest employer in Solano County with 14,353 military and civilian personnel and 12,000 dependents, providing approximately $1.6 billion dollars of stimulus to our economy. The fleet of 27 KC-10s stationed at Travis AFB employ between 500-600 military personnel through operations and maintenance and up to 100 civilians at the Flight Safety KC-10 Aircrew Training System.
We urge your consideration of the devastating impacts to Northern California if the KC-10 fleet were retired.
Sincerely,
Jim Frazier
California Assemblymember, 11th DistrictLois Wolk
State Senator, 3rd DistrictSusan A. Bonilla
California Assemblywoman, 14th DistrictMariko Yamada
California Assemblywoman, 4th District
cc: Governor Jerry Brown, State of California
Congressman John Garamendi
Congressman George Miller
Congressman Jerry McNerney
2 comments
I would add that Travis AFB also serves tens of thousands of military retirees as the only large military installation in Northern California. The KC10 refueling aircraft are essential to the defense of the West Coast and providing support to other military aircraft for refueling services.
Soooo… Military assets and infrastructure are primarily a jobs program? The needs of our military should not include the added burdon of considering the local economies as part of the decision process. Sad part of life that no job is guaranteed to remain forever. Just ask the guy who made the channel knobs for TVs.
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