The Pentagon remains defiant with Congress over the fate of the F136 engine program after the House last week voted to keep the program alive in Fiscal 2011 despite Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ continued objections. “We don’t want nor need the extra engine, but this is just one step in a long journey and Secretary Gates is committed to staying engaged in this process the whole way,” Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said after the House’s May 27 vote (see below On to Conference for F136). Morrell said Gates would still recommend a Presidential veto if the final version of the defense policy bill contains F136 funding. The White House’s May 27 statement of Administration policy reiterated that point, as well. (See Washington Post report, DOD Buzz report) (See also GE statement, Pratt & Whitney statement)
Earlier this spring, the 388th Fighter Wing proved just 12 Airmen can operate an F-35 contingency location, refueling and rearming the fighters at spots across Georgia and South Carolina. The demonstration, part of exercise Agile Flag 23-1, marks yet another proof of concept for the Air Force’s plan to send…