Lawmakers Swap Tanker Funds From Marines to Air Force

摘要

The Marine Corps last month saw the majority of its fiscal 2006 funding request for new aerial refueling tankers slashed by House and Senate authorizers, though congressional sources say the Corps ultimately could benefit from the $735 million reduction. House and Senate versions of the fiscal 2006 defense authorization bill cut the requested number of Marine Corps KC-130J tankers from 12 to four, using the funding to add nine Air Force C-130Js to the budget. But the Senate version of the legislation would add funds to sustain the Marines' existing tanker fleet.