[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE C-17 DOES THE JOB

                                 ______


                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 1995

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, real world events continue to demonstrate why 
the nondevelopmental aircraft alternative [NDAA] as part of our 
strategic airlift solution is a bad idea. The recent disaster in the 
Caribbean caused by Hurricane Marilyn underscores our Nation's 
continuing need for humanitarian airlift and, likewise, demonstrates 
the Nation's need for the unique capabilities of the C-17. The 
humanitarian relief activity in the U.S. Virgin Islands performed by 
the C-17 validates the very reasons we are buying this magnificent 
airplane. Simply, it does the job we bought it to do, and does it when 
conditions preclude the use of other, less capable aircraft.
  At the airfield in St. Thomas, where ramp space is extremely limited, 
landing and then unloading a large commercial freighter would 
essentially close to airfield to other aircraft. We witnessed these 
same circumstances in Goma, Zaire, where aircraft with desperately 
needed supplies circled overhead and were forced to turn back because 
the airfield was out of service for hours awaiting the unloading of a 
B747. The C-17's unique ground maneuverability--routine backing and the 
ability to turn around in fewer than 90 feet--allows for a continuous 
flow--greater throughput--of humanitarian relief through the small St. 
Thomas airfield.
  Also the C-17 can carry more than people, meals, and blankets. In the 
case of St. Thomas--17's carried an entire 150-vehicle U.S. Army light 
infantry truck company, including 2.5- and 5-ton trucks loaded with 
relief supplies and flatbed semi-trailer trucks. It is relief equipment 
such as this, which cannot be carried by the so-called nondevelopmental 
aircraft alternative--a Pentagon word for an airplane which is not a C-
17. Such a capability is very critical in the early days following a 
disaster. The outsize cargo capability of the C-17 allows the Army to 
stack-load many of its trucks directly atop the flatbed vehicles, 
increasing the load density and reducing the number of required 
flights. Such outsize loads can be delivered directly to where they are 
needed only by the C-17.
  As we have seen again in St. Thomas, whether airlifting firepower for 
the soldier or humanitarian aid for a neighbor, the C-17 is living up 
to its promise--it delivers. The C-17 is demonstrating it is indeed the 
most versatile airlift aircraft in aviation history. It is this 
capability our Nation must have to meet its global military and 
humanitarian airlift needs.
  As we begin to replace our aging C-141, a dollar spent for airlift 
should be a dollar spent for airlift modernization and increased 
capability; NDAA--the nondevelopmental aircraft alternative--does 
neither. If a force mix solution is considered to satisfy our Nation's 
military and humanitarian airlift needs, the correct number of NDAA 
must be zero. I urge your continued support of the maximum funding in 
the fiscal year 1996 budget for the C-17 as our single and most capable 
airlift solution.

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