Support KC-767 Tanker

Dear SPEEA Activists,

SPEEA supports The Boeing Company's KC-767 Advanced Tanker (AT) proposal and needs your help to win the competition for the replacement for the U.S. Air Force fleet of aerial refueling tankers.

Awarding the contract to Boeing, and not Airbus, creates more than 9,000 jobs in Washington state and 35,000 jobs in 39 other states as well. The U.S. Air Force's decision is expected by the end of January, so the time to get involved is now.

Attached is the letter I am sending to our Senators and Congressional Representatives. My request is that you take action as well by visiting the "Get Active" link on the SPEEA website at www.speea.org

The "Get Active" link allows you to use the letter provided or you may modify it to create your own letter of support.

SPEEA's members appreciate our activists getting involved. Please also encourage others in your work area or in your community to send letters via the "Get Active" link, as an additional way you may impact this effort.

The result of this competition is not just about the current order for tankers. This decision is about whether Americans or Europeans will produce the aircraft used as tankers for the U.S. Air Force for decades to come.

Even if you are sure your member of Congress supports the KC-767 AT program, it is helpful to thank those members for their support and show them that you, their constituents, feel this is important as well.

Thank you!
Cynthia M. Cole
SPEEA, IFPTE 2001, President

Click here to view letter that Cynthia Cole sent to Patty Murray

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support the Boeing KC-767 Tanker

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a worker relying on a thriving U.S. aerospace industry, I urge you to support the Boeing KC-767 Advanced Tanker proposal as the replacement for the Air Force fleet of aerial refueling tankers.

Awarding the contract to Boeing, and not Airbus, creates more than 44,000 jobs in Washington, Kansas and other states. The competition to build a new tanker is not just about today's needs. This decision is about whether U.S workers or European workers will produce the aircraft used as tankers for the U.S. Air Force for decades in the future. A vote for the Boeing tanker takes advantage of 50 years of aerial refueling technology experience.

As an aerospace worker and member of SPEEA-IFPTE Local 2001, I know the KC-767 Advanced Tanker is the best aircraft for the job. I also know it makes sense for U.S. military aircraft programs, which are funded by American taxpayer dollars, to be designed and built by American companies that provide jobs to U.S. citizens.

Approving the Boeing KC-767 Advanced Tanker gives our men and women in the Air Force the best product, with the most advanced technology, available today.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 29, 2007

Background Information

What’s at stake in selection of the Boeing KC-767 Advanced Tanker

The Boeing KC-767 Advanced Tanker (AT) will protect the U.S. aerospace industrial base, jobs and critical technology.

The KC-767 AT would support more than 44,000 jobs in the United States. It would have $400 million in economic impact and benefit 300 suppliers in 40 states.

The 767 consumes 24% less fuel than the Airbus A330. It has fewer emissions, including less in hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

Because it consumes less fuel than its competitor, it will save nearly $10 billion in costs over the life cycle of a 179 airplane fleet.

The KC-767 AT is an American plane, designed and built by skilled and experienced workers.

Boeing has 50 years of jet tanker experience, delivering a total of 2,000 tankers, including the existing KC-135 fleet.

The Boeing 767 is a proven commercial airplane, with more than 900 jets delivered worldwide.

The KC-767 AT has accumulated over two years of flight test experience with 268 flights & 785 flight hours.

The KC-767 AT is more flexible than the competition, able to operate with full cargo load off of shorter runways, at higher elevations and at hotter temperature.

In short, the KC-767 AT will provide the Air Force with a more capable and reliable aerial fueling tanker while protecting American jobs, industrial base and technology. The stakes are high, as are the benefits of the Boeing tanker.