Officials talk tankers, draft proposals

MOBILE, Ala. - Officials from across the country convene to give the latest information on the KC-45 tanker competition.

"We're in it to win it."

That was the message from Northrop Grumman, two Alabama congressmen and Mobile Mayor Sam Jones.

Hundreds attended the luncheon Monday at the Battle House Hotel downtown.

Northrop Grumman officials told the crowd the Defense Department's draft proposal, called an R.F.P., changes the rules of the competition, and not in Mobile's favor.

"We were selected last time, because we delivered more fuel to the war fighters, we carried more cargo and passengers, and had a plan that would build tankers in Mobile faster than our competitor. And so a lot of that doesn't appear to be important in this draft, and so that's why we're concerned," Randy Belote said.

Congressman Artur Davis believes the focus now is to push for a dual contract, by convincing the defense department it's a solution that will benefit the entire country.

"The American people are demanding job creation. They want to see us doing things in Washington that will create jobs, in some distant point in the future, but right now in this current economy. Ninety-six thousand jobs could be the pay-off of a dual award, ranging over ever region of this country," Davis said.

Congressman Jo Bonner said he was grateful to hear fellow Republican Senator John McCain question the fairness of the current process.

"John McCain is someone that has a lot of authority when he speaks on issues like this. And look, he's not siding in on our tanker or their tanker, he just wants a fair competition, and that's what we want," Bonner said.

Mayor Jones will leave for Washington Tuesday morning to personally join the fight. He'll be lobbying with members of Congress through the end of the week.

"That's why I'm weighing on this. This has a lot to do with the future of our community, a lot to do with the future of this country. I served in the military. I know how important it is to have the very best equipment, and that's what this is for the fighting men and women, and that's what I want to see done," Mayor Jones said.

The final draft from the government is supposed to be released this month. But everyone at Monday's briefing are expecting it to be pushed back.

They say there are still a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the fairness of the current draft requirments.

For more information on Mobile's fight to keep the tanker deal, click here.