The Air Force has decided to ignore the governmental subsidy issue before the World Trade Organization when USAF reviews proposals for its tanker replacement program, reports Reuters news service. Ken Miller, who is special assistant to the Air Force Secretary for acquisition governance and transparency, said Monday that whatever WTO decides, the outcome “will be neutral.” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and various Alabama elected officials viewed the contentious issue as an attempt to eliminate the Northrop Grumman-EADS team from the tanker program in favor of Boeing.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
