Request for more C-17s up in the air.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Washington Pulse - Brief Article

Although the U.S. Transportation Command repeatedly has asked the Air Force to buy more C-17 heavy lift cargo airplanes, a decision to do so is far from certain. Congress already approved 180 aircraft, but TRANSCOM would like 222, based on the ever-growing demands for airlift. Air Force Secretary James Roche, however, is not convinced that the surge in airlift demand necessarily warrants more aircraft.

TRANSCOM naturally has been overstretched as a result of ongoing wars, but it doesn't mean that its requirements for airlift will be this high on a permanent...