Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) has gone on record as “strongly opposed” to the President’s 2007 defense budget proposal to terminate C-17 production at 180 aircraft—issuing a statement saying, “If we do not purchase additional transports, we will lack the capability needed to deploy and adequately sustain forces overseas.” Talent acknowledges that adding more C-17s will be “an uphill battle.” Still, he has support. The Senate late last year did pass his legislation supporting additional procurement of C-17s.
The U.S. military conducted strikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz on May 7, as the conflict with Iran flared up again—though officials say the ceasefire remains in effect.