[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 109 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        REDUCTION IN VIP AIRCRAFT

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                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 30, 1995
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, we have spent a great deal of time this 
week debating the Federal budget. I believe all Members can agree on 
the need to eliminate unjustifiable spending. At least one item in the 
Department of Defense budget falls into this category: the Pentagon's 
huge fleet of VIP aircraft. I have joined with 10 of my colleagues in 
introducing legislation to sell off some of these ``generals' jets,'' 
which would result in a budget savings of at least $130 to $200 million 
a year.
  The Department of Defense has a fleet of about 600 aircraft that are 
used to transport senior military personnel and civilian officials. 
About 500 fixed-wing planes and 100 helicopters perform administrative 
support missions. These aircraft do not include the Presidential 
aircraft, the 89th Military Airlift Wing, such as Air Force One, nor 
are they used for operational transport of troops. Rather, they are 
used for airlift transportation in support of command, installation, or 
management functions.
  The General Accounting Office found that size of the administrative 
aircraft fleet--often called Operational Support Aircraft--far exceeds 
the wartime requirements, even according to the Pentagon's own 
estimates. Only 48 OSA were used ``in theater'' during the gulf war. 
This suggests that OSA aircraft's main role is not wartime, but 
peacetime. Even in the United States, the gulf war saw the services 
using much less than one-half of their inventory. The Commission on 
Roles and Missions also recommended reducing the size of the OSA fleet. 
In 1993, the Joint Chiefs report concluded that OSA inventories exceed 
wartime requirements. The Air Force concurred with the Joint Chiefs in 
1994.
  However, nothing has yet been done to eliminate the excess aircraft.
  The public first heard about the aircraft issue last fall when a 
high-ranking Air Force general made a very expensive flight from Italy 
to Colorado. Although the flight was made for administrative purposes, 
and much less expensive commercial flights were available, a single 
general and his aide spent more than $100,000 for the trip. The Air 
Force is even using their OSA planes to fly Air Force cadets to Hawaii 
to watch football games.
  Perks at the Pentagon are no more justifiable than perks in any other 
agency of the Federal Government. If Congress is to have any hope of 
balancing the budget during the coming decade, we must focus our 
attention on reducing budget outlays. This means ending some programs 
that have little justification. Our bill would offer the American 
people significant reduction in spending that could either reduce the 
Federal debt or fund other, more critical spending priorities.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in bringing high-flying 
generals down to Earth. Let's save taxpayer dollars by paring this 
Pentagon perk.


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