Senior leaders thank KC-46A source selection team

Published March 22, 2011
By Daryl Mayer
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Department of Defense and Air Force senior leaders flew here from Washington March 21, 2011, to congratulate the team responsible for the source selection of the Air Force's top acquisition priority: the KC-46A tanker.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley; Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Dr. Ashton Carter; Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz; and KC-46A Program Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Christopher Bogdan took the dais in the National Museum of the United States Air Force to express their appreciation to members of the KC-X source selection team.

Air Force and Defense Department officials announced the award of an engineering and manufacturing development contract for the KC-46A aerial refueler to The Boeing Company on Feb. 24.

Secretary Donley cited a number of important lessons learned from the successful source selection. He said building a strong team, exercising discipline and remaining true to the terms of the request for proposal all contributed to an "outcome that was well, well worth it."

He also offered thanks to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Office of the Secretary of Defense leaders for their support throughout the process.

"Early on in this process, (OSD leaders) made the decision that the Air Force was ready to take on this source selection," Secretary Donley said. "We clearly had the right people working it."

Dr. Carter echoed these sentiments with his appreciation for the perseverance of all involved.

"It is hard to overstate the significance of what you have brought home," Dr. Carter said to the team. "You have shown the nation that the acquisition system could operate in a manner the taxpayer would expect."

Most of all, Dr. Carter added, this selection shows the merit of competition.

"This effort produced big savings, and we need big savings right now," he said.

General Schwartz said the work of the team was all the more important considering that the tanker fleet is the backbone of Air Force expeditionary operations.

The general cited recent coalition operations in Libya as an example of missions made possible because of "gas passed through a boom."

"I have the ultimate respect for you and your families in sacrificing for this mission," General Schwartz said. "I thank you for renewing the reputation of defense acquisition."

General Bogdan similarly expressed his gratitude to the team.

"I couldn't be any prouder of you all," he said.

After each senior leader offered comments, they all left the stage to greet and personally congratulate each of the more than 230 members of the source selection team.