Mobile County Commission Supports Dual Buy

Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine today endorsed a competitive dual procurement proposal that would see the U.S. Air Force order tankers from both Boeing and the partnership of Northrop Grumman and EADS.

"I had been against a split buy because I know that the KC-45 is the better tanker and won the competition in 2008 fair and square," said Nodine. "But now, after consulting our Alabama congressional leadership, I'm convinced a split buy is the only solution to get new tankers into our war fighters’ hands as quickly as possible."

Under a dual buy, the Air Force would purchase both Boeing's smaller 767-based tanker and the larger, more capable Northrop Grumman KC-45.

"This will put new tankers in action twice as quickly, and will save money in the long run by doing so," said Nodine. "Additionally, it will maintain Boeing's industrial base, while fostering an aerospace corridor in the southeast and creating 50,000 new jobs nationwide."

In November, County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood lobbied in Washington for a dual buy. County Commission President Mike Dean also supports a dual procurement and will travel to the nation's capital in two weeks to push the plan.