Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Texas Gov. Rick Perry are urging President Obama to set aside plans to retire the C-23 Sherpa transport planes, known by some as flying shoeboxes, that have proven their efficiency in loading troops and cargo through more than two decades of use.
Scott and Perry claimed in a letter Thursday that the aircraft -- the National Guard in each state has two Sherpas -- are also relied upon by the states for handling hurricane and other emergency responses.
Just as these aircraft have served us well in theater to resupply the men and women located near smaller airfields, their versatility and affordability give states a cost-effective means to meet crucial emergency responders' needs when minutes count to save lives during a disaster, Scott and Perry wrote.
All Sherpas are expected to be retired by 2014.
While the retirement has been in the works for several years, the White House argued in 2011 that the Pentagon would have to tighten its belt by transferring or retiring aircraft including the C-27J Spartans, C-23 Sherpas, and Global Hawk Block 30s.
Critics of the retirement plan, including members of Congress, have contended that the transition from the C-23 to another craft has been poorly defined and may result in loss of uses at airfields that can currently handle the C-23.
The letter from Scott and Perry:
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We ask for your immediate assistance and support for C-23 Sherpa funding until another suitable fixed-wing option is available for our war-fighters and to respond to the needs of the citizens of Florida and Texas during emergencies. Since the decision was made to retire these aircraft early without suitable replacements, our state leadership and Congress have made known the dire consequences looming for combat formations as well as the states that lose this vital capability. Just as these aircraft have served us well in theater to resupply the men and women located near smaller airfields, their versatility and affordability give states a cost-effective means to meet crucial emergency responders' needs when minutes count to save lives during a disaster.
Although we understand the divestiture of these aircraft has been postponed by Congress, Florida and Texas have been informed the Department of the Army will not allow the aircraft to operate after the end of the 2012 calendar year. Accordingly, the aircraft would be moved, beginning in November, to a maintenance facility for engine swap and remain at that location indefinitely. If this in fact is the plan, Congress's intent of retaining this aircraft has been lost. Congress included language in both the House and Senate versions of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act to retain the C-23, and on September 28, 2012, C-23 preservation was enacted through H.J. RES. 117.
Our country has more than 86,000 armed service members in Afghanistan, and both Florida and Texas are highly vulnerable states with large populations geographically exposed to hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires. The nation needs the C-23 as a versatile and inexpensive asset for our war-fighter and emergency responders. We especially need to keep units like those in Florida and Texas, which have served with distinction and received national recognition for operational effectiveness and safety. Costs to maintain these crucial aircraft are miniscule compared to the security risks that will result from losing them. Protecting this important asset for our overseas and domestic commitments until a suitable replacement capability is identified is essential. It will be a small investment for our national security.
We respectfully urge your intervention to ensure that federal funding is provided to operate and maintain the C-23, as intended by the legislation thatCongress enacted and you have signed into law.
Sincerely,
Rick Scott Rick Perry
cc: The Honorable John McHugh, Secretary of the Army
General Raymond T. Odierno, Army Chief of Staff.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
