The C-17 Airlifter has been working overtime for this nation and our men and women in uniform for more than a decade and since the tragedy of September 11th has played a vital role in the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan. It accounts for over 1700 high-paying jobs in Texas and represents nearly $2 billion in annual economic impact to the state. Despite its outstanding performance President Obama & Secretary Gates have chosen not to include it in the 2010 budget request.
Right now the C-17 is on life support and its fate lies in the hands of U.S. Senate Defense Appropriators. Without their support the aircraft production line will close next year. If the C-17 Program ends now we all lose as Americans and as Texans.
Regardless of party or politics it is clear: We must continue C-17 production and give our men and women the aircraft they need to succeed. And not only continue but also put in place a multi-year procurement to give our men and women the aircraft they need at a price we can afford.
Senator Barbara Boxer of California was joined by 17 other senators including both Senators from Texas in stating the case for continuing C-17 production in a letter addressed to Senate Appropriations Committee leaders on August 20. This letter makes the case for continuing C-17 production from a national perspective. We have chosen to join with the Senators in expressing our support and sharing the programs role from a Texas perspective.
The C-17 Globemaster III is one of the U.S. militarys most successful flying workhorses. This aircraft plays a critical role in supporting our military as our nation continues the global fight against those who oppose our free and democratic society. The C-17s track record in support of the war fighter and in bringing aid to those in need throughout the world is unmatched by any other transport 
aircraft in our nations history. It is the only aircraft that can provide both strategic and tactical airlift and is ideally suited to operations in the Middle East and Africa.
Americas C-17s have logged nearly 1.5 million flight hours in the past decade. Original DOD projections were that the fleet would reach 1 million flight hours in 2010. Mission requirements currently exceed available C-17 capacity and availability. As such it is clear that additional C-17s are necessary to meet current and future military and humanitarian needs. The bottom line is we dont have enough C-17s in the fleet and are wearing out the ones in use at a record pace.
In addition to its vital role in supporting our nations airlift missions we believe it is important to take into account the value of our domestic manufacturing base. The C-17 is produced using the only remaining U.S. manufacturing operation and domestic supply base for heavy-lift military aircraft. The demise of the C-17 will mean the loss of this U.S. capability.
Re-establishing such a capability will be costly and require financial investments that U.S. aircraft manufacturers may be unable to commit leaving the DOD with only foreign aircraft manufacturers to consider in the future. The value of this domestic manufacturing capability must be fully understood in terms of future needs and requirements.
Closer to home Texas manufacturers play a key role in the C-17 Program. Vought Aircraft Industries Inc. in Dallas Texas is Boeings single largest subcontractor producing over 40000 pounds of structure for each aircraft. Both Vought and Boeing depend on Texas suppliers for parts and services to support C-17 production.
Nearly half of these suppliers are small or small/disadvantaged businesses. For many the C-17 work comprises more than half their business base. Jobs lost as a result of C-17 Program termination will be permanent.
With the loss of the C-17 the State of Texas will lose $150 million in annual sales tax revenue. Local communities will be further impacted through the loss of tax revenue as a result of the closing and downsizing of manufacturing companies.
We are acutely aware of the difficult economic times we are now facing as a nation. The cost of military weapon systems has been the topic of much discussion throughout the country.
It is clear that cuts must be made in our military spending but these cuts must not negatively impact our ability to defend this great nation and maintain our position as a superpower on the global scene. Our ability to quickly deploy resources anywhere in the world is vital to maintaining our position of strength. We believe that the C-17 is the only available resource that provides us with this essential capability.
As members of the Texas Legislature we fully understand and appreciate the fiscal and political challenges facing the President and Congress in addressing our nations defense. Our hope is that the Senate Appropriators will consider the value that the C-17 brings to our nation and will support the multi-year procurement for at least an additional 45 C-17s.
Rep. Tan Parker (R) represents Texas House District 63 including both rural and urban parts of Denton County that include the cities of Flower Mound Highland Village Pilot Point Argyle Aubrey Krugerville Sanger Cross Roads Krum Ponder Justin Northlake Copper Canyon Double Oak Bartonville Trophy Club Roanoke and also portions of Lewisville and Southlake Texas. Parker serves as Vice-Chairman of the Technology Economic Development and Workforce Committee. He is a strong advocate for a pro-active economic development policy that will retain & create new jobs. Mr. Parker is a champion of restoring our manufacturing industrial base in Texas and is a successful Texas businessman. He began his career in public service under President George H.W. Bush and worked in state government as Gov. Perrys appointed Chairman of the Texas Industrial Development Corporation prior to being elected to the Legislature.
Rep. Kirk England (D) represents Texas House District 106 that includes Grand Prairie and part of Irving Texas. England is a member of the House Committee on Business and Industry. The Business and Industry Committee compiles legislation regarding the Texas business climate and relationships between employers and employees. Representative England works hard to create better jobs and a safe work environment for employees.
Rep. Jerry Madden (R) represents Texas House District 67 that includes Plano and parts of Collin County Texas. Madden serves as Vice Chair of the House of Representatives Corrections Committee and was recently appointed to The Council of State Governments (CSG) board of directors for CSGs Justice Center joining a small bipartisan group of key legislators and leading court and law enforcement officials as well as corrections and health and human services agencies officials serving on the board.
