WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Jack Reed (D-RI), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, are teaming up to introduce legislation to reduce the Air Force's strategic airlift aircraft inventory minimum, an action that could save taxpayers as much as $1.2 billion in the next few years.

Although federal law sets the Air Force's minimum number of strategic airlift aircraft at 316, Pentagon officials have indicated that only approximately 300 aircraft are needed to meet strategic airlift capacity requirements.  The Defense Department and the Air Force support the removal of the 316 minimum for the strategic airlift aircraft inventory, consistent with the President's FY 2012 budget request. These planes are used to carry supplies, equipment and military personnel around the globe.

The Ayotte-Reed bill, the Strategic Airlift Force Structure Reform Act of 2011, would reduce the strategic airlift aircraft floor from 316 to 301 aircraft.

"Congress has a responsibility to ensure the Air Force has the tools it needs, but we should also pay close attention when they tell us they don't need certain equipment.  The Pentagon, the Air Force, and Transportation Command support this common-sense fleet reduction, which will enable the military to better allocate their resources," said Senator Reed.

"Congress needs to stop forcing the Pentagon to maintain aircraft that our warfighters say they don't need.  This common sense, bipartisan legislation would save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars while ensuring that our military continues to meet strategic airlift requirements," said Senator Ayotte.  "I appreciate the Pentagon's efforts to combat wasteful and unnecessary spending within its budget, which will help ensure the most efficient and cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars."

During a July 13, 2011 Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower hearing, chaired by Senator Reed, General Raymond Johns, Commander of U.S. Air Mobility Command, testified: "...we completely support the President's authorization request...eliminating the 316 strategic airlift aircraft restriction...the 316 strategic airlift floor requires us to keep unneeded, less capable C-5As in the inventory.  Over the FYDP [Future Years Defense Plan] the un-programmed cost to the Air Force to maintain these aircraft could be as much as $1.23 billion."

General Johns testified that strategic airlift aircraft in excess of 301 were "over capacity" that forces "extra workload on our airmen to keep that capability when we don't need to utilize it."

A recent Center for New American Security (CNAS) report, entitled "Hard Choices: Responsible Defense in an Age of Austerity" endorsed this initiative to reduce the strategic airlift aircraft floor.