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Wednesday, July 23, 2008; Page A14

Regarding the July 17 letter "A Tanker Contract That Shouldn't Fly," which stated that "we no longer need a whole fleet of aerial refueling tankers":

I wonder how this letter writer thinks U.S. military aircraft fly to points thousands of miles around the globe, often around hostile airspace. Perhaps he knows of a secret overland route over which we can haul the aircraft on flatbed trucks.

Our ability to fly military aircraft long distances requires aerial refueling by tanker aircraft. The Air Force's existing fleet of KC-135s is nearly 50 years old, and an aerial refueling capability is vital to our national security. Would this writer consider flying overseas with our courageous Air Force pilots and boom operators in a 50-year-old airplane that is due for an inspection upon landing for metal fatigue, structural corrosion, loose rivets and leaking fuel cells?

C.C. BUCKENMAIER JR.

Fairfax


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