October 8, 2007


On behalf of the more than 106,000 members of the Association of the United States Army, I write to urge that Senate and House conferees strike their respective marks pertaining to the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Defense Authorization Bill and fund the current JCA program as submitted in the President’s (FY) 2008 budget submission.

The Army must have responsibility for its fixed-wing assets related to tactical distribution. Since July, 2005, the Army and the Air Force have partnered to shape complementary capability requirements for the JCA program. Changing the nature of the current relationship between services is unnecessary.

Army fixed-wing assets, in addition to supporting the Army’s efforts in the Global War on Terrorism, are intended to support Army and National Guard non-wartime missions within the continental United States. In order to more quickly and safely supply and transport its soldiers on the battlefield as well as complete myriad other missions, our Army must have responsibility for its fixed wing assets related to tactical distribution.

JCA fills a critical capabilities gap for on-demand transport in the last tactical mile. Historically this has been an Army mission. JCA replaces three aging, less capable Army airframes that cannot meet current operational requirements.

Therefore it is imperative that conferees strike their respective marks and fully fund the program as it is currently crafted to the level submitted in the President’s FY 2008 budget submission.

GORDON R. SULLIVAN
General, USA Retired