Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


14

Congress Plans $550M Upgrade to Its Jet Fleet

Share

(Newser) – Congress plans to spend $550 million to upgrade and expand the fleet of jets used to ferry federal officials around the country and abroad, the Wall Street Journal reports. Funds approved by the House for the military-run fleet call for two 737s and two Gulfstream jets on top of the four planes the military has asked for, resulting in a significant increase in passenger capacity. The jets are used by military officials, the White House, and Congress.

Air Force documents describe the 737s as "offices in the sky," with first-class leather seats and a "distinguished visitor compartment. "A Pentagon press secretary says the Department of Defense never asked for the extra jets and doesn't need them, but a House Appropriations Committee spokesman said the request was to make sure "the troops have everything they need." The only military personnel beside pilots and top brass on board, however, are usually there to carry bags and take drink orders.

The House has voted to add more Gulfstream business jets to the federal fleet.
The House has voted to add more Gulfstream business jets to the federal fleet.   (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, file)
Most federal jets are painted light blue and white, with
Most federal jets are painted light blue and white, with "United States of America" on the fuselage.   (©Shelley Panzarella)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We ask for what we need and only what we need. We've always frowned upon earmarks and additives that are above and beyond what we ask for. - Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
14 comments
VIEWING:
 
Citrixguy
Aug 7, 09 8:13 AM CDT
This is why congress has such low approval ratings. Congress would kill to have G.W. Bush's lowest numbers. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
kokuaguy
Aug 8, 09 12:08 AM CDT
It is the Congress, not Obama, that plans to spend $550 million to buy eight jets to meet a supposed growing travel demand by Congress - even though a Pentagon spokesman says they didn't ask for the planes and they don't need them. Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, objecting to one part of the package, said it "just makes no sense. Talk about the wrong message at the wrong time...No wonder so many people think we don't get it."
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
radnip
Sep 28, 09 6:18 AM CDT
So write your Congressperson to be against this. It's YOUR government. Get moving!
Vote up! Vote down!
0
weglad
Aug 7, 09 8:25 AM CDT
Oh, heavens, will someone take these idiots' noses out of the trough and have them look around? This is not the time for this because it simply adds insult to injury. Take the train! Fly coach! Borrow AF1 or go commercial. It's not just the greed, it's the fact that they treat us with such contempt. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
Reader60610265
Aug 7, 09 9:05 AM CDT
No kidding and we need new flying offices why ? obviously congress doesn't take a hint any better than big business. They should be trying to find ways of lowering the debt not wasting money on trivial things. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+4

View all 14 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

7 Stories

(Newser) - The scrapping of the F-22 has sent the US Air Force into an abrupt about-face, Time reports. Newly installed officials are asking for 100 cheap, multirole planes that can attack ground positions and also be used to train other countries' pilots in their use. The aircraft must have a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Robert Gates • Department of Defense • defense secretary • US Air Force • Iraq war • Afghanistan war • F-22 fighter jet • counterinsurgency • prop plane • Michael Donley

Pentagon Drops Ball on Contractor Oversight: Report

Says tens of billions in contracts lack decent US supervision

Jun 9, 09 9:33 AM CDT
(Newser) - Though US defense contracting has reached “unprecedented proportions” in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Defense Department isn’t adequately monitoring the contracts, according to an independent watchdog. A report to be presented to Congress tomorrow says the government lacks central records showing the identities, activities, and pay of some 240,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Congress • Pentagon • oversight • Department of Defense • security contractors • Iraq contractors • Defense Dept • House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform • defense contractors • monitoring • Wartime Contracting Commission

(Newser) - A House member is incensed that a Pentagon official, reporting a 25% increase in combat-zone sexual assault against women, said servicemen should “wait until she's sober,” the New York Daily News reports. “This woman is not in the right line of work,” Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-NY,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iraq • Afghanistan • Congress • Pentagon • US military • House of Representatives • Department of Defense • sex crime • sexual assault • Louise Slaughter • Howard Stern Grid

7 Stories


Politics 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
Congress • Department of Defense • air travel • US Air Force • military jets

from our news partners