On Capitol Hill today, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), and Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), are holding a press conference to attempt to sway the Pentagon, which, so far, has refused to consider the interim World Trade Organization ruling that Airbus illegally received European Union subsidies in developing some of its aircraft, in the KC-X tanker contract deliberations. (Brownback release) All four lawmakers support Boeing, which has said the Airbus subsidies have given the Northrop Grumman-EADS team an unfair advantage. (EADS is parent to Airbus.) In its latest response to questions over the draft request for proposals, USAF has simply referred to its statement in the RFP that the WTO dispute is not relevant. (RTQ Nov. 13, 2009, see p. 8) (For more RTQ, see Nov. 10 responses, Oct. 30 responses, Oct. 23 responses, and Keeping Up With KC-X Tidbits)
Former Air Force Secretary James G. Roche Dies at 86
Aug. 21, 2026
James G. Roche, the 20th Secretary of the Air Force from 2001-2005, died Aug. 4. He was 86. As Secretary, Roche led the Air Force through the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and subsequent preparations and campaigns in Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003.